Alok Prakash 
India is home to many animals and several types of species, and this makes it very popular as it has some phenomenal Zoological Park of lovely mammals, reptiles and birds. There are many Zoological Parks in India spread all over the country. Indian zoos provide a naturalistic environment for the well-being of the animals staying in it.
Most Famous Zoological Parks in India
The zoological parks in India are enriched with a suitable environment for the animals that helps to enhance their quality of life and also for the conservation, education and sustainable management practices. As per a record, From the year 1992, with the introduction of the Central Zoo Authority, there are 347 verified zoos, and 164 acknowledged zoological parks in India. Here is a list of the most famous zoos in India
- Nandankanan Zoological Park, Orissa
- Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, West Bengal
- Sakkarbaug Zoological Park, Gujarat
- Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden, Karnataka
- The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Andhra Pradesh
- Assam State Zoo and Zoological Garden, Assam
- Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad
- Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Maharashtra
- Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan, Bihar
- Alipore Zoological Garden, West Bengal
Nandankanan Zoological Park, Orissa
Nandanakanan zoo is one of the prominent zoological parks in India that lies on the banks of mystic Kanjia lake. The divine beauty of the natural forest allures animal lovers to gather and admire the serenity of this place. Located 15 km away from Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar, this zoo is stretched over a vast area of 437-hectare that houses around 1580 animals, 634 mammals, 812 birds and 134 reptiles in its close vicinity. Moreover, it offers its kind of White tiger safari in India.
- Zoo Opened Year: 29 December 1960
- The area occupied By Zoo: 437 Hectare (1080 acres)
- Animal Types: 3485 animals of 157 different species (2016)
- Zoo Timings: 8 am to 5 pm (Monday closed)
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, West Bengal
Sprawled over a vast area of 67.56-acre, the Darjeeling Zoo or popularly known as Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is located in the beautiful town of Darjeeling in West Bengal. The scenic beauty of the town and the amazing glimpse of rare and exotic animals attracts around 3 lakhs visitors every year. Known to be established in the year 1958, this zoological park is adorned with much beautiful Himalayan flora and fauna.
- Zoo Another Name: Darjeeling Zoo
- Situated Near: Darjeeling, West Bengal
- Zoo Opened Year: 1958
- The area occupied By Zoo: is 27.3 hectares (67.56 acres)
- Animal Types: Himalayan Wolf, Red panda, snow leopard, Gorals, Siberian Tigers, Himalayan Tahr, grey peacock pheasant, blue sheep, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan salamander, blood pheasant and satyr tragopan amongst others.
- Zoo Timings: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Thursday Closed)
Sakkarbaug Zoological Park, Gujarat
Sakkarbaug Zoological Park of Gujarat is popular by many vivid names like Sakkarbaug Zoo or Junagadh Zoo. Stretched over a vast area of 210-acre, the zoo was first opened in 1863 for the public. The serene environment and the natural history of this zoo allures visitor from far and wide. The main intention of this zoological park is to conserve the rare and endangered species of wild animals in captivity.
- Zoo Another Name: Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh Zoo
- Situated Near: Junagadh, Gujarat
- Zoo Opened Year: 1863
- The area occupied By Zoo: is 210 hectares (490 acres)
- Animal Types: 525 mammals, 597 birds, and 111 reptiles
- Zoo Timings: 8 am to 5 pm (Wednesday Closed)
Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden, Karnataka
Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens is one of the most popular attractions of Mysore city. Instead of having so many historical places in Karnataka, this garden has managed to make its name among the most visited tourist place in the city. It is popularly renowned as one of the oldest zoos that house an extensive collection of exotic and migratory birds and animals in its neighbourhood. The century-old Zoological Gardens is well connected with various amenities like modern animal enclosures as well as the historical heritage buildings that attract travellers from all over the world.
- Zoo Another Name: Mysore Zoo
- Situated Near: Mysore
- Zoo Opened Year: 1892
- The area occupied By Zoo: 64 hectares (157 acres)
- Animal types: Elephants, green anacondas, giraffes, Zebras, tigers, lions, rhinoceroses, and baboons
- Zoo timings:8:30 am to 5:30 pm ( Tuesday closed)
The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Andhra Pradesh
Located in the midst of shady, dense and undisturbed Kambalakonda Reserve Forest in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is the third largest zoo in India. Sprawled over an area of 625 acres, it serves as a home for numerous variety of birds and animals like peacocks, parrots, big cats, hippos, snakes, elephants, giraffes, zebra, deer and a lot more. It’s a perfect weekend getaway in a wonderful place to enjoy with kids and family.
- Situated Near: Kambalakonda Reserve Forest, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Zoo Opened Year: 1977
- The area occupied By Zoo: 253 hectares (625 acres)
- Animal Types: Birds such as Pelican, Painted stork, Peafowl, Duck, Spotted dove, Lovebird, Parakeet, Eagle, Vulture, Budgerigar, Macaw, Ostrich, and Emu.
- Zoo Timings: 9 am to 5 pm (Monday Closed)
Assam State Zoo and Zoological Garden, Assam
The Botanical Garden located in Assam is the largest zoological park in the North East region of India. Stretched over a vast area of 432 acres, this mesmerizing park is a wildlife paradise for all animal lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Over the years, it has emerged as a major tourist attraction that exhibits a wide range of rare animals and endangered species in its vicinity.
- Zoo Another Name: Guwahati Zoo
- Situated Near: Guwahati, Assam
- Zoo Opened Year:1958
- The area occupied By Zoo: is 175 hectares (432.435 acres)
- Animal Types: One-horned Indian rhinoceros, tiger, clouded leopard, golden langur, hoolock gibbon, serow, elephant, brow-antlered deer, slow loris, Himalayan black bear, leopard cat, binturong, jungle cat.
- Zoo Timings: 8 am to 4:30 pm (Friday closed)
Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad
Located in the heart of Hyderabad, the captivating Nehru Zoological Park was named after the Nation’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It was opened to the public in the year 1963, and since then it has emerged as one of the top sightseeing places to visit in Hyderabad.
- Zoo Another Name: Hyderabad Zoo, Zoo park
- Situated Near: Mir Alam Tank, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Zoo Opened Year: 1963
- The area occupied By Zoo: is 153.8 hectares (380 acres)
- Animal types: Indian rhino, Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, panther, gaur, Indian elephant, slender Loris, python, as well as deer, antelopes, and birds. The nocturnal house features chimpanzees, giraffes, fruit bats, slow Loris, civets, leopard cats, hedgehogs, barn owls, mottled wood owls, fishing owls, and great horned owls.
- Zoo Timings: 8 am to 5 pm (Monday Closed)
Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Maharashtra
In the last few decades, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park has emerged as a prominent tourist attraction and a fun-filled refreshment centre. Outsiders who love to visit the historical monuments of Maharashtra never leave the city without visiting this beautiful place. Sprawled over a vast area of 130-acre, it is majorly sectioned into an animal orphanage, a snake park, and a park for wild habitation with a beautiful lake. The key attraction of this zoo are leopards, black bucks and elephants whereas the snake park consists of various species of snakes and reptiles.
- Zoo Another Name: Rajiv Gandhi Zoo, Katraj Zoo
- Situated Near: Katraj, Pune, Maharashtra
- Zoo Opened Year: 1999
- The area occupied By Zoo: 53 Hectares (130 acres)
- Animal Types: Reptiles, mammals and birds including a white tiger, a male Bengal Tiger, leopard, sloth bears, sambhars, barking deer, blackbucks, monkeys, and elephants.
- Zoo Timings: 9:30 am to 6 pm (Wednesday)
Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan, Bihar
The vast area of the popular Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan, is a preferred picnics spot and a major tourist attraction among travelers. Also popular by the name “Patna zoo”, this botanical and zoological Garden is quite renowned for housing the normal as well as the white variants of the Royal Bengal Tiger. One can get to see Leopards, jackals, blackbucks, elephants, Himalayan black bears, zebras, giraffes, Indian rhinoceros, pythons, emus, hippopotamus, white peacocks, and crocodiles roaming freely in this park.
- Zoo Another Name: Sanjay Gandhi Botanical and Zoological Garden, Patna Zoo
- Situated Near: Bailey Road, Patna, Bihar
- Zoo Opened Year:1973
- The area occupied By Zoo: 60.9 hectares (152.95 acres)
- Animal types: tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, hippopotamus, crocodile, elephants, Himalayan black bear, jackal, blackbucks, spotted deer, peafowl, hill myna, gharial, python, Indian rhinoceros, chimpanzee, giraffe, zebra, emu, and white peacock.
- Zoo Timings: 8 am to 6 pm (Monday Closed)
Alipore Zoological Garden, West Bengal
Alipore is mostly known by the other name “Calcutta Zoo”. It is officially one of the oldest zoological parks and among the prominent tourist places to visit in Kolkata. The key attraction of this park used to be the historic and giant tortoise “Adwaita”, which was believed to be around 250 years before his death in 2006. The abundant lush greenery and plentiful wildlife attract tourists from all across the globe to visit and admire the beauty of this zoo.
- Zoo Another Name: Alipore Zoo, Calcutta Zoo
- Situated Near: Alipore, Kolkatta, West Bengal
- Zoo Opened Year: 1876
- The area occupied By Zoo: is 18.81 hectares (46.5 acres)
- Animal Types: Royal Bengal tiger, African lion, Asiatic lion, jaguar, hippopotamus, great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, reticulated giraffe, Grant’s zebra, emu, and Indian elephant. It also features a large variety of attractive birds that include some endangered species as well.
- Zoo timings: 9 am to 4:30 pm (Thursday Closed)
This was all about the relevant stuff regarding the Most Famous Zoos in India. How did you like these zoos? Let us know below in the comments section.
Also See: Ranthambore National Park Sawai Madhopur Rajasthan India
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