Top 20 Largest Zoos in India: A Wildlife Enthusiast’s Guide

India is home to a diverse array of wildlife, and its zoos play a crucial role in conservation, education, and recreation. From sprawling urban parks to high-altitude sanctuaries, the country’s zoos offer a glimpse into the rich biodiversity of the region. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the top 20 largest zoos in India, perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and families alike.

Top 20 Largest Zoos in India

1. Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai

Location: Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Area: 602 hectares
Highlights: Known as Vandalur Zoo, it is the largest zoo in India. It houses over 2,500 species of flora and fauna, including white tigers, lions, and elephants. The zoo also features a nocturnal animal house and a butterfly house.

2. Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneswar

Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Area: 437 hectares
Highlights: Famous for its white tiger safari, Nandankanan is the second largest zoo in India. It also has a botanical garden and a reptile park.

3. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam

Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Area: 625 acres
Highlights: Nestled in the Eastern Ghats, this zoo is home to a variety of species including tigers, panthers, and elephants. It also features a butterfly park and a mini-train for visitors.

4. Mysore Zoo, Mysuru

Location: Mysuru, Karnataka
Area: 157 acres
Highlights: Officially known as Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore Zoo is one of the oldest and most well-maintained zoos in India. It houses a wide range of animals, including giraffes, zebras, and chimpanzees.

5. Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad

Location: Hyderabad, Telangana
Area: 380 acres
Highlights: This zoo is known for its extensive collection of animals and birds. It also features a safari park, a nocturnal house, and a children’s train.

6. Alipore Zoological Gardens, Kolkata

Location: Kolkata, West Bengal
Area: 46.5 acres
Highlights: One of the oldest zoos in India, Alipore Zoo is famous for its Royal Bengal Tigers and the giant tortoise Adwaita, who lived for over 250 years.

7. Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune

Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Area: 130 acres
Highlights: This zoo is known for its snake park and a large collection of reptiles. It also has a lake and a garden area for picnics.

8. Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, Guwahati

Location: Guwahati, Assam
Area: 432 acres
Highlights: The largest zoo in the Northeast, it houses a variety of animals including the one-horned rhinoceros, tigers, and leopards. The botanical garden features a wide range of plant species.

9. Chhatbir Zoo, Chandigarh

Location: Chandigarh, Punjab
Area: 505 acres
Highlights: Also known as Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park, it is famous for its lion safari and a large collection of birds.

10. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling

Location: Darjeeling, West Bengal
Area: 67.56 acres
Highlights: The largest high-altitude zoo in India, it specializes in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions, such as snow leopards, red pandas, and Himalayan wolves.

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11. Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan, Patna

Location: Patna, Bihar
Area: 152 acres
Highlights: Also known as Patna Zoo, it features a wide range of animals including tigers, lions, and elephants. It also has a botanical garden and a lake.

12. National Zoological Park, Delhi

Location: Delhi
Area: 176 acres
Highlights: Located near the Old Fort in Delhi, this zoo is home to over 1,000 animals and birds. It also features a reptile house and a large aviary.

13. Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden, Junagadh

Location: Junagadh, Gujarat
Area: 200 hectares
Highlights: Known for its successful breeding program of Asiatic lions, this zoo also houses a variety of other animals including tigers, leopards, and antelopes.

14. Kanpur Zoological Park, Kanpur

Location: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Area: 76 hectares
Highlights: Also known as Allen Forest Zoo, it is one of the few zoos in India set in a natural forest. It features a wide range of animals and a botanical garden.

15. Jaipur Zoo, Jaipur

Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Area: 33 acres
Highlights: Located near the Albert Hall Museum, this zoo is divided into two parts: one for mammals and the other for birds and reptiles.

16. Kamla Nehru Zoological Park, Ahmedabad

Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Area: 117 acres
Highlights: Situated in Kankaria, this zoo is known for its collection of rare and endangered species. It also features a nocturnal animal house.

17. Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Chennai

Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Area: 8.5 acres
Highlights: Specializing in the conservation of crocodiles and other reptiles, this zoo is home to one of the largest collections of crocodiles in the world.

18. Pilikula Biological Park, Mangalore

Location: Mangalore, Karnataka
Area: 150 acres
Highlights: This zoo is part of the larger Pilikula Nisargadhama, which includes a botanical garden, a lake, and a science center. It houses a variety of animals including tigers, lions, and leopards.

19. Deer Park, Hisar

Location: Hisar, Haryana
Area: 19 hectares
Highlights: Known for its large population of deer, this park also houses a variety of other animals including peacocks, rabbits, and guinea pigs.

Also Read: 50 Fascinating Facts About Ferrets

20. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa

Location: Ponda, Goa
Area: 8 square kilometers
Highlights: This small zoo is part of the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary and features a variety of animals including deer, leopards, and elephants. It also has a botanical garden and a nature education center.

Conclusion

India’s zoos are not just places to see animals; they are centers of conservation and education. Each zoo has its unique charm and offers a different experience. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, a family looking for a fun day out, or someone interested in conservation, these zoos provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and learn about the diverse wildlife of India.

Plan your visit to these amazing zoos and experience the rich biodiversity that India has to offer. From the high-altitude habitats of Darjeeling to the sprawling urban parks of Chennai, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

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