Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri has recorded the successful breeding of a mandrill, an endangered primate species listed on the IUCN Red List, marking a significant conservation milestone for the wildlife facility at the start of the New Year.
The birth of the mandrill cub follows nearly two years of planning and sustained effort by park authorities and further strengthens the park’s growing role in wildlife conservation in West Bengal.
The park is currently the only wildlife facility in the state to house mandrills. Officials said both the mother and the newborn cub are in good health, although the gender of the cub is yet to be determined.
The successful breeding adds to Bengal Safari Park’s earlier achievements in breeding tigers, lions and Himalayan black bears, reinforcing its standing as a key conservation centre in the region.
The conservation effort began in December 2023, when three mandrills were brought to the park from Tata Steel Zoological Park in Jamshedpur under an animal exchange programme. A dedicated enclosure for the species was subsequently constructed at a cost of Rs 23.54 lakh, with special measures taken to protect the animals from North Bengal’s harsh winter conditions.
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Last week, one of the pairs, Vishnu and Niyati, gave birth to the cub after spending two consecutive years at the park. To ensure the newborn’s safety during winter, authorities arranged jute sacks and straw to provide warmth, while Niyati’s diet was specially modified to support recovery after birth and help her cope with the cold.
Welcoming the development, State Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda said, “This is wonderful news for us in the new year. Along with breeding animals like tigers and lions, we have always focused on conserving endangered species like mandrills. We have now achieved success, and I hope this will attract more tourists to see the new guest.”
Echoing the sentiment, E. Vijay Kumar, Director of Bengal Safari Park, said, “These mandrills were brought here in 2023, and since then we have cared for them with great attention and affection. There is no other zoo in the state that houses mandrill monkeys, which made us especially cautious. We are extremely happy with the success of the breeding programme. Both the mother and the baby are doing well, and we are monitoring them closely with all necessary arrangements in place.”
Officials said the successful breeding is expected to give a boost to tourism while further cementing Bengal Safari Park’s reputation as an important centre for wildlife conservation in the state.
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