Family adopts three big cats in Shivamogga

Shivamogga: A family in Shivamogga has adopted two tigers and a lion from the Tiger and Lion Safari, Tyavarekoppa, for one year, under an animal adoption scheme.
Sujata and Ram Prasad, a couple from Shivamogga, adopted the big cats by paying Rs 7.3 lakh to the authorities. Their younger son, H R Savyasachi, had visited Tyavarekoppa a few days back, and had discussed with the officials there about the condition of the establishment and animal enclosures in Karnataka.
He got to know from them that the establishment has a handful of donors, and they are not earning enough revenue from gate collection. During the lockdown, the establishment received financial assistance from the Zoo Authority of Karnataka.
Savyasachi, an animal lover, thought of making a donation to take care of the big cats. Finally, he handed over three cheques to the Tiger and Lion Safari management, towards adopting three big cats.
An assistant conservator of forest (ACF) and director of Tiger and Lion Safari, Mukund Chandra, appreciated their gesture toward conservation of wild animals in captivity. This is the biggest donation towards animal adoption for the establishment so far.
“Before the lockdown, Shivamogga MP B Y Raghavendra drafted a blueprint with us to upgrade the establishment. During the lockdown, a financial crisis hindered its development. In a critical situation, Savyasachi and his parents came forward to adopt the animals,” Mukund Chandra said.
The establishment is spread over 250ha near Shivamogga town, and was opened in 1988. It has 377 animals, including four lions and 7 tigers.