Siliguri: The Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri has invited animal lovers to adopt its animals and birds for an annual fee.

Any wildlife enthusiast or organisation can adopt the animals - be it Royal Bengal Tiger, rhino, gharial or deer.

The initiative has been taken to involve wildlife lovers in the protection and conservation of animals as well as to increase the park's revenue.

The West Bengal State Zoo Authority has already introduced a similar programme at Alipore zoo.

"The decision to introduce the adoption plan was taken only recently. We hope to encourage people to come forward and adopt wild animals and birds. We will distribute leaflets and brochures and set up signage posts at the park to spread the message," said Arun Mukherjee, the director of the safari park.

The adoption charges will vary from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh a year, depending on the animal of choice.

The park at present has three tigers with three cubs, a rhino, gharials, over 400 deer, two elephants and an aviary with birds of different species.

"The cost of adopting a tiger, a rhino or an elephant will be Rs 2 lakh in a year. A deer or a gharial can be adopted at Rs 25,000," said a source.

Wildlife enthusiasts and animal lovers can also join the "friend of zoo" programme and volunteer to work with forest staff to take care of wild animals. The annual fee for this opportunity is Rs 5,000.