Bengaluru, May 8 (IANS): Two Karnataka ministers handed over cheques totalling Rs 1.05 crore towards adoption of animals at Mysuru Zoo, a forest official said on Thursday.

"Mysuru District In-charge Minister S. T. Someshekar Gowda and Urban Development Minister B. A. Basavaraja handed over a cheques of Rs 21.14 lakh and Rs 84 lakh respectively to Mysuru Zoo," Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens Executive Director Ajit Kulkarni told IANS.

The donations were mobilised by the ministers from their friends in their constituencies, he said.

Kulakarni, who is also the Deputy Conservator of Forests, thanked the donors for their timely help during this tough time amid Covid pandemic.

Incidentally, Gowda has raised the highest amount of donation to the Zoo in its 127-year history, he said.

"Total amount mobilized by district in-charge minister (Gowda) during this year is about Rs 2.32 crore and is the highest ever in the 127-year history of Mysuru Zoo," he said.