Zoos In India – Most Popular Zoological Parks In India

Inaugurated in 1959, National Zoological Park is situated near The Old Fort in Delhi and is a favourite weekend spot among adults and children alike. From biggest cats to the tiniest birds, the zoo has all kinds of animals and birds. Initially, it was known as Delhi Zoo when in 1982 it was renamed The National Zoological Park with the idea of making it the model zoo of the country. At the Zoological Park, birds and animals live in an environment that in many ways resemble their natural habitat. The zoo not only provides a home for endangered species but also helps them to breed in captivity. It also holds Conservation Breeding Programmes for Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger, Brow Antlered Deer, Swamp Deer, Indian rhinoceros and red jungle fowl. Eventually, they may once again thrive in the wild.

Officially called the Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore Zoo is one of the oldest and the largest zoos in India and has provided a home to hundreds of wild and ferocious animals. Located 145 kms away from Oklipuram in Bangalore, it is known for its spaciousness, cleanliness and large enclaves built for the exotic animals like elephants, zebras, lions, green anacondas, rhinoceroses and baboons. The zoo oozes greenery from every pore which will give you and your kids a wonderful sight-seeing experience. The Karanji Lake which is located on the eastern side of the zoo is another spot which will allure your children into coming back. The largest walk-through aviary surrounds the zoo. You can sit back and laze around the lake after a long walk through the park. The best time to visit is during morning hours when you’ll hear all the birds chirruping and animals ambling around. Mysore Zoo timings are 8:30 am –5:30 pm and it is closed on Tuesdays.

Built centring on the Katraj Lake, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park had started only with a reptile park and a few species of animals in 1999. Over the years, the enclosures of the zoo have been enriched with almost all the available fauna species of India, including a white tiger, a Bengal tiger, a 13 foot long Cobra and a pair of Asiatic lions. There is an animal orphanage and nursery, as well as adoption facilities at the zoo.

Last but not the least is the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park located amidst Kambalakonda Reserve Forest in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It has enclosures for a variety of wild animals like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian elephants and primates (common langur, rhesus monkey and bonnet monkey) that exist all around the world and is filled with lush green foliage. It is an ideal place containing ample space brimming with greenery for a weekend getaway with restaurants, restrooms, picnic spots and toy trains for kids. Don’t forget to stop by this Park while you’re in Vishakapatnam for an extraordinary wildlife experience.

Located at a distance of 16 km from the city of Hyderabad, Nehru Zoological Park is one of the most visited places in Hyderabad because of the vibrant greenery it contains. Around 100 species of birds, animals and reptiles are sheltered in this zoo-like the Indian rhino, Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, panther, Indian elephant, etc. You can also relax, take a walk or have a picnic with your kids in the long stretching lawns amidst the zoo. Other facilities that’ll grasp your attention are the multiple safari trips throughout the park, educational shows, feeding sessions, a natural history museum, food court and a train ride that runs through the park to give you a cursory view of the park to make your kids hop with joy.

Nandakanan, literally meaning The Garden of Heavens, is a zoo and a botanical garden located in the capital of Odisha around six km away from the Bhubaneswar-New Railway Station. It’s a heaven of nature and an abode for the Indian rock python, white tiger, Indian pangolin, crocodiles, Asiatic lion, etc. The zoo has 34 large aquaria which shelter numerous freshwater fish for your kids’ never-ending love for the gilled species. Owing to the flora, it consists of the largest orchid house in Bhubaneswar spread over 5,000 square feet with an immense amount of colour and beauty packed into a house which will leave you swirling around the room full of flowers.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park, also known as Vandalur Zoo is the first public zoo in India. It is located in Vandalur, a suburb in the southwestern part of Chennai about 31 km away from the city centre and 15 km from the Chennai Airport. It is the largest zoo in India in terms of area covered and is filled with nature’s wonders from sanctuary aviaries and walk-through aviaries to butterfly houses, crocodile enclaves and an aquarium surrounded by a pond. Other facilities include treks inside the campus, a snack bar for munching during long walks and an elephant safari in which you get to tour around the zoo on the back of an elephant with an aerial view. Stop by this zoo to while away time in the lap of nature with your kids.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, also called the Darjeeling Zoo, is not just another zoo you visit in the other cities. It’s the largest high altitude zoo in India located in the town of Darjeeling, West Bengal adjacent to a Buddhist temple. In the rocky and mountainous surroundings, this zoo is the perfect one to visit with your little ones and will leave you stunned with its utmost beauty. You will see people sliding down the sprawling roads scattered in all directions amidst the inclined gardens and Himalayan animals like Tibetan wolf, Red panda, snow leopard, Siberian tigers, Yaks, Himalayan black bear and some more. It also includes a variety of flora in natural environmental settings. You can’t miss spotting one of the rarest species in a place where the air is crisp, and the weather is cold.

Alipore Zoo in Kolkata is one of the oldest zoos in India and a popular tourist attraction of the city. It is still known for Aldabra, the giant tortoise that lived for almost 250 years and died in the year 2006. It is one of the best places to see Royal Bengal Tigers. The zoo is also home to a wide variety of birds like golden pheasant, ostrich, turacos and hornbills.

Situated on the Junagadh Rajkot Highway, Sakkarbaug Zoological Gardens aka Junagadh Zoo aka Sakkarbaug Zoo is a massive zoological park in Junagadh popular for the purebred Asiatic lions. Besides a variety of birds and animals including wild boar, blue bull, antelope etc.; the park also has an in-house natural history museum and a veterinary hospital.

Chattbir Zoo, formally known as Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park, is located close to Zirakpur 17 km away from Chandigarh, Punjab and is an abode to varsities of wild animals and birds from the Royal Bengal Tiger and Asiatic lions to peacocks and bats in an extensive area. It is an ideal place for a picnic with a water body within the park which will make you experience tranquillity at the very best. The lion safari for the visitors is another facility that the zoo provides to gratify your zoo experience.

Established in 1984, Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo or Nainital Zoo is situated on the Sher ka Danda hill in Tallital, Nainital. Perched at a height of 2100 metres and spread over an area of 4.6 hectares makes it the only one of its kind. The zoo in India is home to several endangered species and is a popular tourist spot.

Gopalpur Zoo is another mountainous zoo located in the district of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and is a much-preferred travel destination for your kids. Giving you an authentic insight into the natural habitat of Himalayan animals, it’ll also serve you with a refreshing view and a breath-taking experience. It’s surrounded by the Dhauladhar range of Himalayas capped with snow which acts as another scenic beauty while you take a calm, leisurely walk in the park. The animals include the Himalayan black bear, Asiatic lion, red fox, leopards, musk deer and so on. The best time to visit this zoo are the months of autumn when flora and fauna are in their best condition.

Gulabh Bagh Zoo is located in the largest garden called Gulabh Bagh and tacit to the name it has a variety of well-maintained roses. The mini zoo within the garden is a short walk away from the rose gardens. A very few numbers of species of animals are housed in this zoo including wide-eyed owls and has enough places to visit within the vicinity like the toy train which is open to the kids and the adults. There is an enormous artificial water body called Kamal Talai which adds to the palace like beauty of the Garden and a Navlakha Mahal, a religious place for parents to visit.

Sanjay Gandhi Botanical Garden, or locally known as Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan was established in 1969 and has been a source of bounteous nature and greenery to the city ever since. Also known as Patna Zoo, the park has many varieties of flora and fauna, in addition to boasting facility, elephant ride, toy train for kids etc.

Located in the heart of Lucknow, the Nawab Wazid Ali Shah Prani Udyan or Lucknow Zoo is a favourite haunt of wildlife enthusiasts from all over the city. This massive zoo in India is spread over an area of 71.6 acres and was established in the year 1921 to commemorate the visit of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales to Lucknow. It was formerly known as the Prince of Wales Zoo but was later renamed after. Some of the fascinating animals and birds such as Royal Bengal Tiger, White Tiger, Lion, Wolf, Great Pied Hornbill, Golden Pheasant and Silver Pheasant can be spotted here in their natural habitat.

Having been established as one of the better zoos in the country, the Guwahati Zoo as it popularly known as a wildlife paradise spread over an extensive area of 430 acres. Located in a densely vegetated forest area in the centre of Guwahati called the Hengrabari Forest Area, the protected area has not lost its vibrant touch with mother nature. Often referred to as the green lung of the city of Guwahati, the Assam Zoo cum Botanical Garden lies just 6 kilometres south of the mighty Brahmaputra river that flows through the state and is the largest of its kind in the North-East region of the country. The zoo exhibits captivating landscape gardens, a great deal of wildlife and a serene environment. It has had an important mark in shaping the ecological outline of the state and also the country. A unique abundance of the wildlife here makes it an admirer's paradise and is certainly worth the visit!

Formerly known as the Trichur Zoo, Thrissur Zoo and the State Museum is located in the heart of Thrissur city, Kerala. Started in the year 1885, this zoo in India covers an area of approximately 13.5 acres. The zoo houses a wide variety of animals, reptiles, and birds. Besides the extensive variety of fauna, the zoo has many other attractions to fascinate you. There is a Zoological Garden, Botanical Garden, a Natural History Museum and an Art Museum, showcasing the socio-cultural heritage of the region.