ZOO

ZOO

Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, one of the oldest in the country, was established as an adjunct to the Museum in 1857 by the erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore in order to attract more visitors. The typical iron barred, cement floored, dingy animal cages built in the past still stand as monuments of the royal style and architectural supermacy rather than being proper housing for animals.

As these cages are outmoded with the changed concepts of Zoo management, they are being renovated/replaced by open moated, spacious, nearly natural enclosures in phased manner. This modernisation project being implemented since 1995-96 is expected to be over by March 2005. The modernisation of the Zoo is undertaken by the State Government with the financial and technical assistance of the Central Zoo Authority Government of India. It is estimated that about Rs. 700 lakhs would be spent for the project when it is completed.

Spread over in 55 acres of land located in the heart of the temple city of Thiruvananthapuram, the Zoo offers a rare opportunity for the visitors to experience and enjoy an unparalleled picturesque and panoramic sylvan surroundings besides vivid animal collections. The Zoo has 82 different species of animals from all over India and abroad. It has several species of animals and birds from Ethiopian and Australian Zoo geographic regions. The Lion tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr, One Horned Great Indian Rhino, Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger are prominent among the indigenous endangered fauna whereas, Giraffe, Hippo, Zebra, Cape Buffalo are the guests from African region. It will usher in a new era with the completion of the ongoing modernisation works in the Zoo. Thrilling encounters with the animals out in their open air landscapes are order of the day now.