Mangaluru: It is a problem of plenty, albeit in a pleasant way, for authorities of Pilikula Biological Park at Moodushedde village. Among the 120-odd species at the park which has around 1,200 animals, the 11 tigers, eight males and three females, headed by patriarch Vikram are the cynosure of all visitors’ eyes. The only hitch is that as per Central Zoo Authority (CZA) norms, Pilikula is permitted to keep up to eight tigers for their healthy upbringing.

Park director H Jayaprakash Bhandary said the park has consistently tried to shuffle out the tigers to ensure the bloodline is clear and there is no in-breeding. “The issue of excess tigers as per CZA norms has arisen primarily because we have a successful tiger breeding programme at Pilikula compared to other large zoos,” he said.

While no price tag can be fixed to any animal at the park, Bhandary said, “Zoos across India looking to expand their repertoire of animals contact us for these big cats and we proceed with the exchange if they have something valuable to offer under the CZA-administered animal exchange programme.” Most enquiries are from North Indian zoos as they are eager to have Bengal Tigers to attract visitors.

With the Pilikula park authorities are in the process of getting a male and female white tiger each from Pradhyuman Zoological Park in Rajkot under an exchange within a month, the park will have dozen tigers. “There are active proposals for tigers at Pilikula from Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, Tirupati and Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam and a general inquiry from Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary in north-Eastern Goa,” Bhandary said.