Pilikula Biological Park Selected For an Exclusive Conservation & Breeding Programme of Giant Squirrels

Pilikula Biological Park (PBP) in Mangalore has been selected for an exclusive conservation and breeding programme of giant squirrels and king cobras by the Central Zoo Authority. The two projects will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore for five years. HJ Bhandary, the director of Pilikula Biological Park said that conservation of the Malabar giant squirrel is being taken up for the first time but captive breeding of king cobras was undertaken and more than 100 king cobras were bred. Currently, the park has about 15 king cobras and three giant squirrels. The Indian giant squirrel is the biggest squirrel of India and is is an endangered species. A population decline due to habitat loss forced the zoo authority to introduce this programme.