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Bengal

2 Himalayan bears shifted to Siliguri

Darjeeling: Dhruba and Jennifer have a new home. From high altitude Darjeeling they have been shifted to the Terai regions on fringes of Siliguri.
8 year old Dhurba and 17 year old Jennifer are the male and female Himalayan Black bears respectively. They have been shifted from the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling to the Bengal Safari Park in Salugarah, 11 km from the heart of Siliguri town.
After a fortnight they will be part of the bear safari in the park. "The pair will remain in quarantine for the next two weeks in separate enclosures. After a fortnight we will commence the bear safari with the two" stated Arun Mukherjee, Director, BSP.
A 20 hectare space has been allocated as the special enclosure for the bear safari. "Himalayan Black Bears are highly adaptive. They are found from high reaches to low land areas bordering the Hills" stated Pyar Chand, Director, PNHZP, Darjeeling.
The park at present boasts of a herbivore safari, tiger safari and elephant safari.
During the quarantine period the bears will be fed fruits, vegetables, chicken and mutton stew in morning. In the evening they will be given rice, chapattis, honey and fruits, stated the animal keepers of the park.
The park spread over an area of 200 hectares was inaugurated in January, 2016.
At present the park boasts of two Royal Bengal tigers, Barking deer, Spotted deer, Sambars, a Rhino, six Gharials and birds.
A leopard safari is also in the pipeline. The enclosure for the leopard safari is under construction and is expected to start by early 2018.
The Bengali Safari Park is the first of its kind in West Bengal and is a dream project of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. With its exhibits and elephant rides it attracts a large number of visitors both local residents and tourists alike.
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