Everything you need to know about the top 10 zoos in India
⌨️
There was a time when lions or antlers were endangered species and rare. They fear extinction, but thanks to captive breeding programs in various zoos in India, the animals have successfully bred and escaped the danger of extinction. Furthermore, in this modern world of concrete jungle, these zoos are the only spaces in the city covered in lush greenery and bring these natural habitats to the fore. Discover the 15 best zoos in India here.
15 Best Zoos in India
1. Nandan Kanan Zoo:
Nandankanan Zoo covers an area of 437 hectares and is a botanical garden and zoo in Bhubaneswar. The zoo was established in 1960 and opened to the public in 1979. It was the first Indian zoo to join the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2009.
- Years the zoo is open: December 29, 1960.
- Zoo area: 437 hectares (1080 acres).
- Type of animal: 3485 animals of 157 different species (2016).
- Zoo hours: 8 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays).
Some amazing facts:
- The zoo is located around the Chandaka Forest, including the 54-hectare Kanja Lake.
- More than 3.3 million people visit the zoo each year.
- This zoo has the lowest animal mortality rate (3.1%) compared to the national average of 10%.
- It is the only zoo in India that keeps white tigers.
- Other endangered species such as Asiatic Lion, Sangal Lion-tailed Macaque, Indian Crocodile, Nilgiri Langur, Mouse Deer, Indian Pangolin and countless birds and reptiles are successfully bred at Kanan Zoo in Nandan.
- The zoo is also home to numerous freshwater fish, with more than 34 aquarium species.
- With over 130 species of orchids, this zoo will soon become the largest orchid house in Odisha.
Nearby attractions:
Distance from zoo attractions
Tribal Art and Artifact Museum10.9 km
Rammendir11.6km
Mukteshwara Temple15.2 km
Lingalaga Temple15.6km
Daoligiri Mountain15.3km
Udayagiri Cave12.9km
Rajarani Temple15.6km
Parsurameswara Temple15.1 km
2. Sri Chamarajendra Zoo:
Sri Chamarajendra Zoo or Mysore Zoo as it is widely known as one of the oldest zoos in India. Covering 157 acres, this zoo is one of the most famous in India. The Mysore Zoo was originally created on a 10-acre site at the Maharaja Chamaraja Palace, which was gradually expanded before being handed over to the Mysore state government in 1948.
- Zoo Aliases: Mysore Zoo.
- located nearby: Mysore
- Years the zoo is open: 1892
- zoo space: 64 hectares (157 acres).
- animal type: elephants, green pythons, giraffes, zebras, tigers, lions, rhinos and baboons.
- zoo time: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (closed on Tuesdays).
Some amazing facts:
- The zoo was established in 1892 and did not open to the public until 1902.
- The zoo includes an artificial lake and a bandstand.
- The zoo was administered by the Mysore State Government Parks and Gardens Department in 1948.
- This zoo has more elephants than any other zoo in India.
- At one point, more than 34 elephants lived in this zoo and moved to other zoos over a period of time.
Nearby attractions:
Distance from zoo attractions
Karangi Lake0.9km
Mysore Palace1.5 km
Sri Nandi Temple1.9km
Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum2.3km
Maharaja ChamarajendraWodeyar Statue1.9 km
Lake Kukallahari2.5 km
3. National Zoo:
The National Zoo, located near the Old Fort in Delhi, covers an area of 71 hectares (176 acres) and is one of the largest zoos in India. This zoo is home to more than 130 species of birds and animals from around the world. The zoo made news in 2014 when a man named Maqsood accidentally fell into a tiger’s moat and died, raising questions about the safety of zoo visitors.
- another name for a zoo: Derry Zoo
- Located near: Delhi
- Year the zoo opened: 1959
- Zoo area: 71 hectares (176 acres)
- Type of animal: Chimpanzees, hippos, spider monkeys, giraffes, African wild buffalo, gill lions, zebras, jaguars, hyenas and peacocks await the birds.
- Zoo Timing: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (closed on Fridays).
Some amazing facts:
- The 16th-century castle located inside the zoo is one of the zoo’s main attractions.
- The zoo is a vast green island in the thriving urban area of Derry.
- The zoo is also part of a conservative breeding program and is known for raising eyebrow antlers.
Nearby attractions:
name distance from zoo
Shermandale 0.2km
Purana Quila Baoli 0.3 km
Purana Quila 0.5 km
Asian Tea House0.3km
National Museum of Modern Art 0.6km
Children’s Park0.6km
Pragati Maidan 0.4 km
Craft Museum0.7km
Derry Golf Club0.5 km
National Science Center0.8km
Humayun’s Tomb 2 km
Rashtrapati Bhavan 2.2 km
[See More: Parks in Andhra Pradesh]
4. Arignar Anna Zoo:
Arignar Anna Zoo, the famous Vandalur Zoo is a zoo located in the southwest of Chennai. The zoo is located 15 kilometers from Chennai Airport and approximately 31 kilometers from the center of Chennai. This zoo is known as the first zoo in India. Founded in 1855, it is the oldest zoo in India.
- Zoo Aliases: Vandalu Zoo.
- Located near: Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Years the zoo is open: 1855 as Madras Zoo, 1985 at current location.
- zoo space: 510 hectares (1300 acres).
- Type of animal: Tiger, leopard, lion (hybrid), wild dog, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, hyena, jackal, blackbuck, bison, barking deer, sambar, sika deer, crocodile, snake, waterfowl.
- Zoo hours:9 am to 6 pm (closed on Tuesdays).
Some amazing facts:
- Vandalur Zoo is the largest zoo in India
- In 1955, the first All India Zookeepers Conference was held here.
Nearby attractions:
Distance from zoo attractions
St Mary’s Church1.2 km
Ranganath Temple7.2 km
Rajiv Gandhi Memorial11.3km
Kishkin Tower Theme Park5.5 km
Sri Nageswarar Temple10.3 km
5. Sakkarbaug Zoo:
Sakkarbaug Zoo covers an area of 200 hectares and was established in 1863 by Babi Nawabs of Junagadh. The zoo is home to more than 40 Asian lions and lionesses. It also houses a National History Museum, which displays the skeletons of two giant Asian lions, as well as the skeletons of leopards, deer, wild boar, impala and antelope, among others.
- another name for a zoo: Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh Zoo.
- Located near: Junagadh, Gujarat.
- Year the zoo opened: 1863.
- Zoo area: 200 hectares (490 acres).
- Type of animal: 525 mammals, 597 birds and 111 reptiles.
- Zoo Timing: 8 am to 5 pm (closed on Wednesdays).
Some amazing facts:
- This zoo is the largest breeding center for Asian lions in India.
- In 2009, Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh became the only zoo in India to feature African cheetahs. The zoo received two pairs of cheetahs from the Singapore Zoo in exchange for its three Asian lions.
- They also received Indian Gallic, Marmoset, Green Pheasant and Malabar Giant Squirrels from the Mysore Zoo in exchange for a pair of Asian lions.
- The zoo also houses white-backed bald eagles.
Nearby attractions:
Distance from zoo attractions
Science Museum0 km
Gilnar9.2 km
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir 3.6 km
Upercott Fort 3.7 km
Datta Trea Temple7.6 km
Jatashankar Mahadev Temple7.6 km
6. Nehru Zoo:
Nehru Zoo is a famous attraction and one of the most popular destinations in Hyderabad. The zoo was established in 1959 and opened to the public on October 6, 1963.
- Zoo Aliases: Hyderabad Zoo, Zoo Park.
- Located near: Mir Alam Tank, Hyderabad, Telangana.
- Year the zoo opened: 1963.
- Zoo area: 153.8 hectares (380 acres).
- Type of animal: Indian rhinos, Asian lions, Bengal tigers, black panthers, bison, Indian elephants, slender loris, pythons, as well as deer, antelope and birds. The nocturnal house features chimpanzees, giraffes, fruit bats, slow loris, civet cats, ocelots, hedgehogs, barn owls, mottled wood owls, fishing owls and great horned owls.
- Zoo hours: 8 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays).
Some amazing facts:
- The nocturnal house here reverses day and night for nocturnal animals so that they stay active when visitors visit the zoo.
- The zoo also features a dinosaur park, aquarium, butterfly park and turtle house.
- Arrange multiple safari tours throughout the day where you can see Asian lions, Bengal tigers and sloth bears
nearby…