Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Feb 10: The management of Pilikula Wildlife Sanctuary, which comes under the Pilikula Development Authority, will soon be taken over by the Karnataka Zoo Authority. Discussions in this regard are almost final, with only the fixation of management expenses remaining.
The Zoo Authority functions under the forest department and has specialised expertise in zoo management. For this reason, there has been a growing opinion that handing over the management to the Zoo Authority would be appropriate. At present, the authority manages two major zoos in the state—Bannerghatta and Mysuru—along with a total of nine smaller zoos.
Although Pilikula Biological Park is currently managed privately, there have been demands to transfer it entirely to the Zoo Authority. However, considering that the park is functioning well and attracting a large number of tourists, it has now been decided not to transfer ownership but only to hand over the management to the authority.
The Zoo Authority, being an institution under the forest department, has extensive experience in zoo management. Officials believe that outsourcing the management to the authority will help ensure better care and maintenance of animals and birds.
The authority has sought the construction of certain enclosures and changes in design among the park’s basic infrastructure. These works will be undertaken by the Pilikula Development Authority. The existing staff will continue to work at the park, but overall supervision will rest with officials of the Zoo Authority. Officials have clarified that ownership of the park will continue to remain with the Pilikula Development Authority.
In March 2025, a public interest litigation was filed in the state high court alleging improper management at Pilikula. Hearings began in December, during which the petitioner’s statement was recorded. The next hearing is scheduled for March, when the statement of the Pilikula Development Authority is likely to be recorded.
Meanwhile, certain social media platforms have been circulating news suggesting that the Pilikula zoo will be shut down. Alongside this, information about certain management lapses and animal deaths that occurred at the nature park a few years ago had remained confidential. Old photos and videos related to these incidents are now being circulated, raising several suspicions.
Pilikula Biological Park is one of the major attractions in the state. An official has expressed suspicion that the intention behind creating confusion among tourists and spreading such information could be to discourage large companies from adopting animals at the zoo.