The newly inaugurated zoological park near Madbool village in Kalagi taluk of Kalaburagi is set to become a major wildlife and tourism attraction in the Kalyana Karnataka region, Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has said.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the zoological park on Monday, Mr. Khandre said that the facility is the second-largest zoo in the Kalyana Karnataka region after the one in Hampi.

He acknowledged the efforts of Minister Priyank Kharge whose keen interest played a key role in the execution of the project.

Constructed at a cost of ₹44 crore over an area of 42.33 acres, the zoological park has been developed with modern enclosures and visitor amenities. It is planned to house 56 species of animals and birds.

Mr. Khandre said that two tigers have already been brought from Bannerghatta National Park, while visitors can currently see animals such as crocodiles and foxes.

Additional species of animals and birds will be introduced over the next three months with arrangements for the phased introduction of several species, including big cats, reptiles, mammals and exotic birds, the Minister said.

The Minister said that the zoo is expected to become a popular destination for visitors of all age groups in the region.

Referring to the tigers shifted from Bannerghatta National Park, he said that arrangements have been made to provide them with suitable food and care to help them adapt to local climatic conditions.

Mr. Priyank Kharge, Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, legislators Allamprabhu Patil, M.Y. Patil, Jagdev Guttedar, B.G. Patil, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Meenakshi Negi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Kumar Pushkar, Member-Secretary of the Karnataka Zoo Authority Ravishankar S.S., Conservator of Forests, Kalaburagi Circle, Vasanth Reddy, Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff and Deputy Conservator of Forests Sumit Patil were present.