A zoological garden fondly known as zoo is the place where you can get a chance to see a wide variety of animals and will be generally under the control of Central Zoo Authority a part of The Ministry of Environment, says famous business Astrologer Hirav Shah.
As per our Indian government rules, any zoo in our country might buy, sell, exchange animals with the wildlife sanctuary parks and even uplift animals from wild forests.
Table of Contents
The list of the best and oldest zoos (also called as animal parks) in India.
1. Indira Gandhi zoological park
Started in 1977, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park located in Coastal city Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Spread in over 625 sections of land, the zoo is named after late Prime Minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi. Earlier, the zoo was a reserve forest named Kumabalkonda.
Indira Gandhi zoological park at Visakhapatnam is the home to more than eighty varied vegetation along with the wildlife.
2. Assam State Zoo
Located at Guwahati area in Assam, the zoo is also called as Botanical Garden by the local people and was started in 1958.
Spread in 432.4 sections of land, the zoo is situated inside a backwoods fondly known as Hengrabari Reserved Forest.
The zoo is home for more than 113 types of animal species present from throughout the world.
3. Nandankanan Zoological Park
Spread in over 1080 sections of land, NZP is one of the largest zoos in our country.
Located in the capital city of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, the zoo is also called The Garden of Heaven.
Wide range of animal species are available in the zoo and is popular as the main Indian zoo to be attached to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums ( WAZA). The zoo was opened in 1960.
4. Nehru Zoological Park
Located in Hyderabad, Telangana, Nehru Zoological Park was started in 1963.
Spread in 380 sections of land, the zoo is one of the biggest one in our country.
This Zoological Park is home for more than a hundred wide varieties of creatures.
5. Mysore Zoo
Located in Mysore, Karnataka, Mysore Zoo is also famous as Sri Chamarajendra Zoological garden.
The zoo was started in 1892 and is home to around 168 types of animals and is very near to the famous Mysore Palace.
The zoo was supposed to begin functioning during the regime of Mysore Maharaja Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar. The zoo park was designed and supervised by the then famous German exterior decorator and horticulturist GH Krumbiegel, says Hirav Shah
6. National Zoological Park
Located in the national capital city Delhi, National Zoological Park was started in the year 1959.
Spread in 175.4 sections of land, this botanical garden has over 126 types of animal species.
The speciality of National Zoological Park in New Delhi is that you can witness White Tiger in it, says Hirav Shah.
7. Allen Forest Zoo
Spread in the area of 190.2 sections of land, Allen Forest Zoo is located in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
The zoo comes as an oasis amidst the mechanical city of Kanpur City says Hirav Shah.
Begun in 1971, Allen Forest Zoo is a collaboration of a few small forests in the region.
8. Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan
Begun in 1973, Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan is located at Patna, Bihar.
Spread in 153.2 sections of land, this park is the most fascinating one in Bihar. The zoo is a home for more than 400 types of creatures, birds, trees and fish species.
This Zoological Park is the oldest among other small and medium-range zoos located in Bihar, says Hirav Shah.
Summary
On September 2022, 8 cheetahs from Namibia arrived in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park, where they were released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the programme to reintroduce the feline in India. Out of the 8 cheetahs, 5 are female and 3 are male. India hopes intending African cheetahs will aid efforts to conserve the country’s threatened and largely neglected grasslands. Kuno park is recognised for its leopard, jackal, and Chinkara. The Wildlife Institute of India and the Wildlife Trust of India had shortlisted Palpur-Kuno park as a home ground for cheetahs and Asiatic lions. The cheetah that once roamed in India’s northern plains became extinct in India in 1948
To summarize, though India has a wide variety of Zoological Parks, Hirav Shah opinions the above-mentioned oldest zoos to be visited once for sure to witness different types of animal species.
Common Questions
Whats is total list of zoos in India?
1. Alipore Zoological Gardens (Kolkata Zoo) – Kolkata, West Bengal
- Established: 1876
- The oldest zoo in India, famous for housing white tigers and various endangered species.
2. Mysuru Zoo – Mysuru, Karnataka
- Established: 1892
- Known for its vast collection of animals, including African elephants, tigers, and many species of birds.
3. Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur Zoo) – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Established: 1855 (restructured in 1985)
- Located in Vandalur, it is one of the largest zoos in India, with extensive conservation programs.
4. Nehru Zoological Park – Hyderabad, Telangana
- Established: 1959
- Home to over 1,500 species of birds, animals, and reptiles. It also features a safari park.
5. Delhi Zoo (National Zoological Park) – New Delhi
- Established: 1959
- Known for its large collection of animals, including the Bengal tiger and white tiger, and is located near the Old Fort.
6. Bannerghatta Biological Park – Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Established: 1971
- This park includes a zoo, a safari park, and a butterfly park.
7. Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden – Junagadh, Gujarat
- Established: 1863
- One of the oldest zoos in India, especially known for its Asiatic lions.
8. Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park – Pune, Maharashtra
- Established: 1999
- A well-maintained zoo with a wide range of species and dedicated conservation programs.
9. Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan (Byculla Zoo) – Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Established: 1861
- Known as the Byculla Zoo, it is the oldest zoo in Mumbai, housing many endangered species.
10. Assam State Zoo – Guwahati, Assam
- Established: 1957
- This zoo is famous for its collection of the state’s wildlife, including rhinos, tigers, and elephants.
11. Koyambedu Zoological Park – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Established: 2007
- A lesser-known but significant zoo located in the outskirts of Chennai.
12. Kaziranga National Park and Zoo – Kaziranga, Assam
- Established: 2018 (the zoo section)
- This park includes a zoo dedicated to the wildlife of the Kaziranga region, focusing on rhinos and other animals found in the area.
13. Bhubaneswar Zoo (Nandankanan Zoological Park) – Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Established: 1960
- Known for its white tigers and various other species, it is also a sanctuary and botanical garden.
14. Patna Zoo – Patna, Bihar
- Established: 1973
- A well-known zoo in Bihar, home to a wide variety of animal species, including tigers, lions, and bears.
15. Kanpur Zoological Park (Kanpur Zoo) – Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Established: 1974
- Famous for its diverse animal population and conservation efforts.
16. Jaipur Zoo (Moti Doongari Zoo) – Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Established: 1877
- Located within the Moti Doongari Fort, this zoo houses a variety of species and is a major tourist attraction.
17. Darjeeling Zoo (Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park) – Darjeeling, West Bengal
- Established: 1958
- Famous for its conservation of snow leopards, red pandas, and other Himalayan species.
18. Lucknow Zoo (Prayag Raj Zoo) – Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Established: 1921
- A well-maintained zoo with a variety of mammals, reptiles, and birds.
19. Indore Zoo – Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- Established: 1970
- Home to a variety of species, the zoo also focuses on education and conservation efforts.
20. Chhattisgarh State Zoo – Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- Established: 1976
- A large zoo with a wide variety of species and a focus on regional wildlife.
21. Bhopal Zoo (Van Vihar National Park) – Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Established: 1979
- A zoo set amidst a national park, known for its naturalistic habitat for animals.
22. Gandhi Zoological Park – Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
- Established: 1991
- Located in the heart of Gwalior, this zoo houses several endangered species.
23. Trivandrum Zoo – Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Established: 1857
- The oldest zoo in Kerala, known for its collection of various animal species and natural setting.
24. Surat Zoo (Sarthana Nature Park) – Surat, Gujarat
- Established: 1990
- Known for its focus on native Indian wildlife and educational programs.
25. Udhagamandalam Zoo (Ooty Zoo) – Ooty, Tamil Nadu
- Established: 1983
- Situated in the Nilgiri Hills, it is a small yet charming zoo, home to native wildlife.
Other Notable Zoos in India:
- Guwahati Zoo – Guwahati, Assam
- Bikaner Zoo (Ganga Singh Zoological Garden) – Bikaner, Rajasthan
- Agra Zoo – Agra, Uttar Pradesh
- Pondicherry Zoo (Puducherry Zoo) – Puducherry
- Ranchi Zoo – Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Nagpur Zoo (Nehru Park) – Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Vikramshila Biodiversity Park – Bhagalpur, Bihar
Which zoo has the most animals in India?
Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, Guwahati. This fenced-in area is home to more than 113 types of animals from different parts of the world.
Which is the world’s biggest and largest zoo?
India’s Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park is the largest zoo in the world in terms of size. It has an area of 5,500 plus acres,
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Oldest Zoos in India and the World
1. What are the oldest zoos in India that I should visit?
- Alipore Zoological Gardens (Kolkata Zoo) – Established in 1876, it is the oldest zoo in India and located in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- Mysuru Zoo – Founded in 1892, this zoo is located in Mysuru, Karnataka, and is one of the most famous and well-maintained zoos in the country.
- Chennai Zoo (Arignar Anna Zoological Park) – Though established in 1855, it was officially restructured and renamed in 1985. It’s situated in Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
2. What is the oldest zoo in the world?
- Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Vienna Zoo) – Established in 1752 in Vienna, Austria, it is the oldest continuously operating zoo in the world. Located within the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens, the zoo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. What makes the Alipore Zoological Gardens in Kolkata special?
- Alipore Zoo is not only the oldest in India but also houses a variety of species, including the famous white tiger. It has been a pioneer in wildlife conservation and education for over 140 years.
4. How long has the Mysuru Zoo been in operation?
- The Mysuru Zoo was inaugurated in 1892 by the then Maharaja of Mysore, Chamaraja Wodeyar. It remains one of India’s top zoological parks with a focus on conservation and animal welfare.
5. Why is the Tiergarten Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna famous?
- Tiergarten Schönbrunn is the world’s oldest zoo, famous for its rich history, diverse collection of animals, and focus on conservation and research. It is home to endangered species like the giant panda and the Siberian tiger.
6. Are there any special activities or exhibits at these zoos?
- Alipore Zoo: Focuses on wildlife conservation programs and offers educational programs for visitors.
- Mysuru Zoo: Known for its well-maintained enclosures, it also offers guided tours and organizes regular animal health checkups.
- Tiergarten Schönbrunn: Features unique animal houses like the “Elephant House” and “Amazonas House” for tropical species.
7. What are the most notable species at these zoos?
- Alipore Zoo: White tigers, Bengal tigers, and an extensive bird collection.
- Mysuru Zoo: African elephants, royal bengal tigers, giraffes, and a large variety of birds and reptiles.
- Tiergarten Schönbrunn: Giant pandas, koalas, and a large collection of endangered species.
8. What is the significance of zoos in conservation?
- Zoos play a critical role in wildlife conservation by providing safe environments for endangered species. They also support breeding programs, educate the public on wildlife protection, and fund various research initiatives.
9. How can I plan a visit to these zoos?
- Alipore Zoo: Open year-round, typically from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Tickets can be bought on-site or online.
- Mysuru Zoo: Open daily except on public holidays, from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Tickets are available at the entrance or online.
- Tiergarten Schönbrunn: Open every day, with hours typically from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Tickets can be booked in advance on their website.
10. Are these zoos involved in global wildlife conservation efforts?
- Yes, all these zoos are involved in various conservation initiatives, including breeding endangered species, conducting wildlife research, and participating in global wildlife preservation programs such as the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
11. What’s the best time to visit these zoos?
- Alipore Zoo: The best time to visit is between October and March when the weather is cooler.
- Mysuru Zoo: The ideal time to visit is between October and March.
- Tiergarten Schönbrunn: Best visited during spring and summer, from April to October, when most of the animals are more active.
12. Are there any unique experiences offered by these zoos?
- Alipore Zoo: Offers the opportunity to see rare and endangered species up close, with special educational tours.
- Mysuru Zoo: Known for its eco-friendly practices, the zoo provides an immersive experience with nature and wildlife.
- Tiergarten Schönbrunn: Offers behind-the-scenes tours, special animal feeding sessions, and interactive experiences with animals.
