Pilikula zoo director resigns after controversial tenure

The founder director of Pilikula Biological Park, H. Jayaprakash Bhandary, has resigned after over 20 years in the position. He left on March 3, 2025, but his resignation was not widely accepted initially due to various controversies. The Pilikula Development Authority (PDA) accepted his resignation, and he officially stepped down on March 19. Mr. Bhandary led the zoo since April 2004, following his retirement from the Regional Director position in the Coastal Regulation Zone. Under his leadership, Pilikula was upgraded to a major zoo in 2013, recognized by the Central Zoo Authority. Last year, he opposed the resumption of the local Kambala event near the zoo, citing noise concerns that could harm the animals. He requested that the area around the zoo be declared a "silent zone" to protect the wildlife. His efforts were supported by a letter from the Central Zoo Authority, which recommended that no disruptive events be held near the zoo. There have also been discussions about transferring the zoo's management from the PDA to the Karnataka Forest Department. This change was suggested to improve resource allocation and management. Bhandary had previously expressed concerns about the PDA’s ability to properly manage the zoo. He stated that delays in funding and lack of expertise from the PDA staff made it challenging to ensure the safety of the animals. The PDA currently faces budget constraints and relies on ticket sales, donations, and adoption programs for funding. The zoo has over 1,250 captive animals and remains an important attraction in the region. The future of its management structure is still uncertain.