Bhubaneswar: The number of visitors to Nandankanan in 2017-18 is likely to surpass its 2016-17 record.

Official statistics suggest that the zoo attracted 21.12 lakh visitors between April 1 and December 25. This figure is 1.30 lakh more than during the same period last fiscal.

"Tourist inflow has been satisfactory so far. While the zoo attracted 31.81 lakh tourists in 2016-17, we are hopeful of the numbers crossing this fiscal. More than 23,000 visitors thronged the zoo on Christmas Day," said Nandankanan Zoological Park's deputy director Jayant Dash.

The authorities decided to keep the zoo open on Christmas and New Year's Day despite it traditionally being closed on Mondays.

A zoo official said several visitor amenities were set up this year, including four reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water points and a baby care centre.

"Besides we have also renovated six rain shelters alongside building three new ones. Next year, we will resume the toy train and ropeway service. Boating facilities will also be available from the Botanical Garden," said the zoo's deputy director.

The ropeway service was stopped in February 2011 while the toy train service was called off in 2014.

Both the facilities used to be among the major tourist attractions. The toy train used to attract around 1.5 lakh tourists a year, while more than 13,000 visitors used to take a ride on the ropeway per year.

In April, the number of inmates in the zoo touched 3,000, the highest since the zoo was set up in 1960. It has a repository of 154 species and 3,148 animals.

"In the coming year, we will procure a pair of giraffes from Mysore zoo, while long-billed vultures will also be procured to start the vulture conservation and breeding programme. A shelter is under construction for treatment and rehabilitation of animals rescued from various forests," said Dash.