The Kittur Rani Chennamma Mini Zoo at Bhutramanhatti near Belagavi is rapidly transforming into one of Karnataka’s most exciting wildlife attractions. With footfalls increasing year after year, forest department officials have stepped up their efforts to enrich the zoo experience, launching a slew of ambitious upgrades worth over ₹2.61 crore.
Four major development projects have already been completed and are slated to be thrown open to the public by November or December this year.
Reptile Park: A Slithering New Attraction
One of the most thrilling additions is the upcoming Reptile Park, where 12 exotic snake species will be introduced, including the Rattlesnake, Cobra, Rock Python, Reticulated Python, Green Anaconda, Lake Snake, and Monitor Lizard. Each species will have a male and female pair, promising an up-close glimpse into the mysterious world of reptiles. The star attractions are expected to be the enormous King cobra and gigantic pythons, which are sure to mesmerise visitors.
Reptiles won’t be the only new arrivals—other members of the cold-blooded kingdom will also join the park soon.
Icon Tower: Zoo’s New Landmark
To solve a longstanding visibility issue—the zoo’s entrance being obscured despite its location next to the national highway—the forest department has constructed a Gigantic Iconic Signage that is 65 feet tall. Topped with a statue of Rani Chennamma and adorned with illuminated zoo logos, the tower is designed to catch the eye from nearly 1 km away, making the zoo unmistakable for passing travellers.
Upgrading to a Medium-Sized Zoo
The zoo management has submitted a formal amendment proposal to the Central Zoo Authority to elevate its status from a mini zoo to a medium zoo.
Colourful Winged Wonders for Children
The zoo has also introduced a bird zone filled with vibrant avian species such as love birds, cockatiels, sun conures, zebra finches, and the rose-ringed parakeet. These charming and vividly colored birds, especially loved by children, will be given special focus over the next two months to attract young visitors.
New Crocodile Park
To add a dash of prehistoric awe, a new crocodile enclosure covering 1,200 sq. meters is under construction. While the existing pit already houses a mugger crocodile, two more Gharial species crocodiles are set to be introduced, adding teeth to the zoo’s lineup.
Sheep: A Walk Among Native Sheep Breeds
Another unique concept in progress is the special area being developed to house distinct breeds of sheep from across India. The precinct aims to introduce visitors to native livestock diversity, blending conservation with education.
A Museum, Auditorium & Bigger Plans
In parallel, the construction of a museum and an auditorium is also underway. While the Karnataka Zoo Authority has funded nearly 50% of the development, the Public Works Department has contributed to these educational facilities, enhancing the zoo’s role beyond just animal display.
Source: Tender documents/Prajavani