Selfies banned in Bannerghatta Biological Park

Bengaluru: The Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) has decided to come up with the idea of banning Selfie sticks and mobile phones for taking pictures in these safari areas of the Bannerghatta Biological Park.

The decision came after learning that visitors bribe the staff to stop near animals to click good pictures and this activity stresses animals.

“We agree that people will not be happy with this idea. But it is for their own safety. We know instances where drivers and animal keepers are bribed by people to stop the bus or jeep on safari routes to take photographs. This strains the animals and leads to conflicts,” Chairperson of ZAK, Mallige Veeresh, told a news website.

“Tourists should move around in properly fenced safari buses. A stern warning has also been issued to BBP staff. Erring staffers, those coming drunk to duty, not properly clad in uniform and those accepting bribe will be immediately suspended,” Zoo official said.

ZAK has also installed 15 new CCTV cameras near enclosures and strategic locations.