Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge released the official logo of the upcoming Kalaburagi Zoo on Saturday (May 8) and announced that the facility will soon be opened to the public.
Located near Madbool village in Chittapur taluk, Kalaburagi Zoo has been built on a sprawling 42 acres and 38 guntas of land. The project received approval from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) under the Wildlife Protection Act and received official recognition from the CZA in New Delhi in March 2026.
After releasing the logo of the zoo, Mr. Kharge said that the zoo has been developed with modern infrastructure and comprehensive facilities for visitors, including internal roads, parking systems, water supply, sewage network, animal hospitals, quarantine facilities, public facilities and children’s recreation areas.
The project has been developed with the financial support of the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB), the Karnataka Zoo Authority and the Forest Department with an estimated investment of around ₹35 crore.
The zoo plans to house 56 species, including mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, nocturnal animals, herbivores and primates, Mr. Kharge added.
Officials said enclosures for lions, tigers, zebras, crocodiles, bears, jackals, deer, turtles and various species of birds have already been completed and work is currently underway on a canteen, amphitheater, interpretation center and landscaping.
Several animals, including turtles, crocodiles, emus, peacocks, parrots, jackals and blackbucks, have already been relocated to the new zoo, while other species, including lions, tigers, king cobras and zebras, will be relocated gradually over the coming months.
The zoo will remain open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will be closed every Tuesday.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Sumit Patil said the zoo is expected to become a major tourist and wildlife attraction in the Kalyana region of Karnataka.
Mr. Patil explained the operational framework for the development of Kalaburagi Zoo and detailed the systematic process followed for animal relocation and enclosure development.
He said that each animal is moved only after ensuring full compliance with safety, habitat suitability and regulatory norms prescribed by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). This process involves careful planning of species-specific cages, veterinary checks and stress-free transport protocols.
The officer explained that enclosures are designed based on the natural behavior and habitat needs of each species. Before any animal is moved, dedicated cages are prepared with proper ventilation, safety features and space to reduce stress during the move.
He said the movement of animals is being done gradually to ensure that the newly constructed enclosures are fully prepared before any movement. Veterinary teams and trained forest personnel continuously monitor the health and adaptation of the animals during the transition process.
Published – 09 May 2026 19:28 IST
