Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Encyclopedia
Arignar Anna Zoological Park , also known as the Vandalur Zoo, is a zoological garden
located in Vandalur
, a suburb in the southwestern part of Chennai
, India
, about 31 kilometres (19.3 mi) from the city centre and 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Chennai Airport on GST Road. The zoo is contiguous with the Guindy National Park
. Founded in 1855, the park was the first public zoo in India. It is recognized by the Central Zoo Authority of India
. Spread over an area of 602 hectares (1,487.6 acre), including a 92.45 hectares (228.4 acre) rescue and rehabilitation center, the park is the largest zoological garden in India and is home to seven white tigers. It houses more than 170 species
of animals in about 81 enclosures. There are about 47 species of mammals, 63 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles, 5 species of amphibians, 25 species of fishes, and 10 species of insects in the park. The park, with an objective to be a repository of the state's fauna, is credited with being the state's second wildlife sanctuary after Mudumalai.
In 1854, Dr. Edward Balfour
, then director of the Government Central Museum at Madras, persuaded the Nawab of the Carnatic
to donate his entire animal collection to the museum. This attracted large crowds and became the nucleus of the Madras Zoo, which was founded in 1855. Dr. Belford started the zoo on the museum premises, and it was later transferred to the Madras Corporation and shifted to 'People’s Park' near Central station
at Park Town
in 1861 as it was growing. The municipal zoological garden occupied one end of the 116 acres (46.9 ha) park and was open free to the public.
By 1975, the zoo could no longer expand, and it had to be moved out of the city because of space constraints and increased noise pollution due to the city's high-density traffic. Hence a plan was prepared in 1976 to maintain these animals in good simulated condition. In 1979, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department
set aside 1265 acres (511.9 ha) in the Vandalur
Reserve Forest
on the outskirts of the city to build the current zoo, which is the largest zoological garden in India
and South Asia
and one of the largest in the world. Work started in 1979 at an initial cost of 75 million, and the zoo in its new premises was officially opened to public on 24 July 1985 by the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu M.G. Ramachandran, when most of the works were completed. In 2001, 92.45 hectares (228.4 acre) of land next to the park was acquired to build a rescue and rehabilitation center for confiscated and abandoned wild animals, increasing the park size to 602 hectares (1,487.6 acre).
The zoo was the first to hold an All-India Zoo Superintendents Conference in 1955, as part of the centenary celebrations. The zoo is named after Tamil
politician Arignar Anna. During April 2010-March 2011, the zoo attracted nearly 1,810,846 visitors against 11,87,904 visitors in 2006-2007. In November 2010, the total revenue was 46.9 million against 40.2 million during October 2009. There has been an increase of more than 200,000 visitors in 2010 compared to 2009 and the park had recorded a 21 percent increase in the number of visitors. The number of visitors raises to the peak on the Kaanum Pongal day, a day in the festival season of mid-January, when the visitor count goes up to 35,000 in a single day. An all-time record of 57,000 visitors a day was registered on the Kannum Pongal day of 2009, resulting in a revenue of 1.015 million.
and about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Chennai Airport. The entrance to the zoo lies in the eastern side of the Chennai-Tiruchi Highway (National Highway 45
), also known as the Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road. Public buses from the park include A18 (to Broadway), B18 (to Korukkupettai), PP66 (to Poonamallee), PP70 (to Avadi), 114 (to Red Hills), 170A (to Madhavaram) and 170T (to Kaviarasu Kannadasan Nagar). Other buses which go to Guduvanchery, Chengalpet, Maraimalai Nagar, Mahendira City, Thiruporrur and Mamallapuram also stop at the zoo. There are 92 bus services to Vandalur every day of the week, and in addition to this, there are 90 bus routes that go via Vandalur to places like Guduvanchery and Chengelpet. The Chennai suburban railway
network has a stop named "Vandalur" about 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi) from the main entrance of the park.
The main objectives of the park are ex-situ propagation of critically endangered species to prevent their extinction, wildlife education and interpretation aimed at a wider public appreciation of wildlife, and wildlife research to promote wildlife conservation and management.
Overall management of the zoo is vested in the Director, Arignar Anna Zoological Park. The director is also the Member Secretary of The Zoo Authority of Tamil Nadu, which started functioning from 1 April 2005, and comprises the following members:
There are currently about 170 staff, including about 50 animal keepers and 20 temporary staff, against a sanctioned strength of 300, including forest rangers, wildlife keepers, biologists and veterinary doctors.
The zoo's ecosystem
consists of dry deciduous
and dry evergreen
scrub forest
vegetation of the Eastern Ghats, a degraded forest consisting of mostly thorny bushes, receiving an average annual rain
fall of 1400 millimetres (55.1 in) and an average annual temperature of 26°C. The terrain is a gentle undulating one with the altitude ranging from 10 m to 100 m with an average elevation of 50 metres (164 ft) above sea level. The park was designed in such a way as to keep the natural vegetation of the area intact except where the enclosures, roads and structures had to be constructed. Originally a sparse scrub forest invaded by weeds, consisting of species such as Carissa
sp., Gmelina
sp., Eugenia
sp., Acacia
sp., Instia sp. and few other species of dry evergreen forest type, the park's vegetation was gradually enriched by planting dry evergreen species ever since the construction of the park. The entire campus has been fortified by means of a compound wall, preventing any biotic interference in the park and allowing the natural growth of vegetation, which eventually endowed the park an aesthetic look of a natural forest. The park is built based on the 'open zoo' concept. The exhibits were originally based on taxonomic and geographical distribution of the species but has now been replaced by ecological niches and habitats. The order of priority is local species, followed by regional, national and international species. The use of moats has made it possible to have a panorama of wildlife such that predators and prey can be housed in one extended enclosure. There are over 75 moated enclosures
in the park.
Most of the exhibits in the zoo lie along the arterial circular road covering a distance of about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi). Smaller mammals and other exhibits are located along the three inner roads of the park. The park area is dotted with large open island-type enclosures and chain-link fence, with camouflaged wet and dry moats, hidden walls and simulated natural environment for the inmates of the park.
The remaining area makes up the free-range zone—an open area which makes up the bulk of the park and where animals such as deer and jackals are left to roam free. There are more than 500 deer of different varieties and an equal number of jackals in the free-range zone. Apart from this, there are four enclosures for deer—each housing about 30 animals. The two animals are found in equal numbers and are known for their fast-breeding ability, especially in their natural environment. The deer–jackal ratio is maintained by the 'natural method of selection'—allowing the stronger ones to prey on the weaker ones—a natural way of balancing the ecological system.
Otteri lake situated within the park premises is the roosting ground for a wide array of aquatic migratory birds like the open-bill stork, painted stork
, white ibis
, grey heron
, night heron
, cormorants, darters, egrets, dabchicks
, pelicans, great pelicans, glossy ibis
and moorhen
and is a bird watchers' paradise. The 7 hectares (17.3 acre) lake, surrounded by a variety of trees, attracts a large number of migratory birds in October, November and December. Both terrestrial and aquatic birds of about 70 species congregate here during the season. On an average, every year, around 10,000 migratory birds visit the lake. About 230 saplings of Barringtonia
, a species native to mangrove habitats, have been planted inside the lake to attract more birds.
The park has 81 enclosures and more than 170 species of mammals, birds and reptiles
such as the barking deer, blackbuck
, sambar, sangai
, nilgai
, wolf, tiger
, jaguar
, panther
, hog deer
, jackal
, hyena
, lion
, giraffe
, camel
, otter
, llama
, elephant
, a number of monkey species like Nilgiri langur
, lion-tailed macaque
, baboon
, Hanuman langur and leaf-capped langur
. There are about 46 endangered animals of the Western Ghats
, the Eastern Ghats
and the Indian subcontinent
such as the Nilgiri macaques
, as well as other rare species including monitor lizard
, chimpanzees, European brown bear, Muscovy duck
, giraffe
, Bengal tiger
, white tiger
, lemur
, macaque
, vulture
, and star tortoises
. The park is also home to exotic species such as emu
and cassowary
, which are flightless birds from Australia
. The park contains about 138 plant species, including cashew
and eucalyptus
.
The zoo houses 2,553 species of flora and fauna across 1265 acres (511.9 ha). The Central Zoo Authority of India has identified the park as coordinating zoo for the breeding programmes for endangered species as per the National Zoo Policy adopted by the Government of India
in 1988, which states that the main objective of zoos will be to complement and strengthen national efforts in the conservation of the country's rich biodiversity and that the species which have no chance of survival in the wild would be bred under ex-situ conditions. The park has a high rate of success in captive breeding
of lion-tailed macaque
s. In 2010, the zoo had 22 lion-tailed macaques, from a breeding pair that were brought to the zoo in 1983. The park is also successful in breeding other rare species in captivity, including ostrich
, Asian palm civet, Indian gaur
, wild dog
, Asiatic lion
, Nilgiri langur
, sangai
, hippo
, Malabar giant squirrel
, white tiger
, Asiatic wolf
, panther
and bison
. The zoo is among four in the country to have an ostrich. The park also undertakes cross-breeding as part of its conservation
efforts. The park is also a participating zoo of the CZA for the captive breeding of rock python, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, Asiatic lion, wild dog, Asiatic wolf, and gaur.
Animals at the park as of 30 June 2005 include:
Safaris
As part of the park's development plan, safari
parks for lion
, gaur
and deer
have been created on a hilly terrain covering an area of 70 hectares (173 acre), and visitors can see the animals in their natural habitats. The lion park has been developed in an area of 30 hectares (74.1 acre) at a cost of about 2.358 million and is operational since October 1990 providing the visitors a 15-min drive into the safari. The safari contains 15 animals and these are involved in captive breeding.
The deer
park was opened in 2008. It covers more than 30 hectares (74.1 acre) and is home to more than 100 animals including sambar and spotted deer
.
Elephant
safari was introduced in the zoo in the summer of 2008. Visitors can travel on elephants for a tour around the zoo. The park is the only place after Mudumalai in the Nilgiris that organises elephant safari rides in the state. There are 3 elephants in the park and 2 more have been brought from Mudumalai to start the safari.
The park authorities plan to create a new Indian Gaur safari in 2011 in part of the current lion safari area. The lion safari has two geographical regions—hilly and plains. At present, the lions move around in the plains region (about 12 hectares (29.7 acre) of the 30 hectares (74.1 acre) total area) and are not allowed into the hilly region. The proposed gaur safari would be created on the 18 hectares (44.5 acre) of hilly terrain. A night safari in the park is also being promoted. The night safari will have two components, viz., an animal exhibit area and an entertainment area. The night safari is being established for providing opportunity to observe the natural wildlife behaviour and activities in the night hours. During 2010-11, the Night Safari scheme will be implemented at a cost of 40.2 million.
Butterfly house
The butterfly house, constructed at a cost of 6 million, has more than 25 host plants and landscaped habitats, such as bushes, lianas, streams, waterfall and rock-gardens, that attract many species of butterflies such as the common Mormon, crimson rose, mottled emigrant
, blue tiger
, evening brown
and lime butterfly
. A network of ponds interconnected by streams maintains humidity in the area. The park covers an area of 5 acres. The butterfly garden with an insect museum at the entrance is set up by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore. The insect museum has been planned with an exhibit area comprising insect exhibits representing the most common Indian species of all orders of insects both in the form of preserved specimens and photographs.
Sanctuary Aviaries
Two aviaries at the zoo were designed to imitate specific bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu. The Point Calimere Aviary represents a sanctuary on a bay on the Coromandel
Coast of the District of Nagapattinam, where migratory birds including flamingos, seagulls, teal
s, stork
s and heron
s can be seen between October and February each year. These species can be seen year-round in this aviary, where flamingos can feed in the shallows while seagulls swim in deeper water. The aviary has a small island (about 30 square metres (35.9 sq yd)) with bushy vegetation, and water covering about 110 square metres (131.6 sq yd). The Vedanthangal Sanctuary Aviary represents a sanctuary located in the district of Kanchipuram
. It is planted with Acacia nilotica
, bamboo
and other tree species which offer convenient places for birds to rest. Birds such as white ibis
, painted stork
, night heron
and grey heron
are found here, and baskets have been provided to facilitate breeding.
Walk-through aviary
The Terrestrial Aviary was opened in 1992, but was closed within a few years due to maintenance issues. It was renovated and reopened in 2010 as the Bio Centre. This 1.5 acre (0.607029 ha) walk-through aviary
cost about 2 million, and is located on a slope behind the tiger house (12.8823035°N 80.0913191°W). The aviary is home to about 150 birds of 13 different species including kingfisher
, rose-ringed parakeet
, red-whiskered bulbul
, white-browed bulbul
, Alexandrine parakeet
, common myna
, koel
, crow
, pheasant
s, peacocks, partridge
s, quails and blue rock pigeon
, as well as reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. The birds are grouped into three categories—lower, middle and upper nesting varieties. The height of the aviary ranges from 5 metres (16.4 ft) at the top of the slope to 12 metres (39.4 ft) at the bottom, with the chain link "roof" sloping downward from west to east. The aviary is surrounded by a 1 metres (3.3 ft) wall, and the four sides above this are covered with steel and blue-coloured nylon net in order to provide an open-sky effect. The ground is floored by tiled footpath lawned with Korean grass
to maintain the humidity level. The moist deciduous habitat supports 22 tree and shrub species.
Reptile house/Serpentarium
The reptile house or the serpentarium is built in a twining snake-like model with entrance and exit points in the snake's mouth and tail, respectively. The serpentarium has 24 enclosures exhibiting 4 species of poisonous and 10 species of non-poisonous snakes. The house was opened to public in the year 1989. The park has initiated controlled breeding programme for Indian rock python. Each vivarium has been renovated by changing substratum and providing perch and hide outs. The top of the opening in RCC roof is closed with transparent acrylic sheet to avoid rain and the walled enclosure enables the snake to exhibit all natural behaviours. The king cobra
is one of the star attractions of this park. This species is scientifically kept and maintained in constant temperature by providing air conditioning and hot spot.
Amphibian house
The park stands first in the country for establishing an amphibian captive facility and it is the only zoo in the country to have amphibians on display. Locally available species such as Indian tree frog
(Polypedates maculatus), common Indian toad (Bufo melanasticus), Indian bull frog
(Rana tigirina), Indian cricket frog
(Limnonectus limnocharis) and Indian pond frog
(Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) are exhibited in the Amphibian Centre. A water recycling system has been introduced to keep the house clean and plants have been planted inside each tank to add green fresh look.
Crocodile enclosure
The park houses many species of crocodiles such as the gharial
, the marsh crocodile, the salt water crocodile and the American spectacled caiman
. Except the Cuban crocodile
, the park has rest of the seven major varieties such as Indo-Pacific or the salt water crocodile, swamp crocodile
, Nile crocodile
of Africa
, Orinoco crocodile
, Morelet's crocodile
and American crocodile. In the eight enclaves for crocodiles, there are 115 adult specimens and more than 200 young ones belonging to the six varieties. This includes two pairs of fresh water adult crocodiles. Many of the species also breed here.
Primate house
The primate house includes some unique endangered primate species like the lion-tailed macaque
, Nilgiri langur
, capped langur
and chimpanzee
. The park is also the National Studbook Keeper for the endangered lion-tailed macaque, nominated by the Central Zoo Authority of India. With the successful execution of the Co-ordinated Captive Breeding Programme (CCBP), the park accounts for around 36 per cent of lion-tailed macaques in the country's zoos.
World of nocturnal animals
The nocturnal animals section houses six species. The biological rhythm and cycle of the animals has been modified so that they are active during the day time and sleep during the night time.
Small mammals house
The newly constructed Small Mammals House has animals such as the grizzled giant squirrel
and the Malayan giant squirrel
. The zoo also houses many small carnivores and animals of the Western Ghats.
Aquarium
The shark-modelled aquarium, with its entrance and exit points in the form of gills of the shark, is set amidst a pond and houses 31 species of fresh-water fishes. The pond surrounding the aquarium too has different varieties of fishes.
Other sections
Other sections in the zoo include the prey–predator concept enclosures (tiger–sambar), Prehistoric Animal Park with life-size models of prehistoric animals and insectarium complex, apart from an interpretation center, zoo school and children's park. The zoo school has formulated conservation, education and awareness programmes for academics and general public that includes teacher training, zoo out reach and volunteers programmes, such as Zoo Club Volunteer Programme and Animal Keepers Training Programme. The zoo also has a library
with a collection of wildlife-related books.
s with a range of up to 80 kilometres (49.7 mi) are available for rent. There are about 9 such vehicles in addition to the 4 battery-operated vans used for the lion safari and 4 diesel-run road rails used for going around the zoo, and plans to purchase more. Each vehicle carries 15 to 20 people, and each trip takes about an hour. A trial program of 20 rental bicycles for visitors, including 5 for children, was launched in 2008. The bicycles are an eco-friendly option that will hopefully reduce demand for the battery-operated cars. An e-bike facility was also inaugurated on 20 February 2010.
There is a snack bar run by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation
(TTDC), an ice cream parlor and a drinks counter—all near the entrance. The park also maintains 16 toilets and nearly two dozen taps within the premises for the visitors. However, there are not many refreshment counters within the zoo. The zoo is open to public from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm except Tuesdays. All the animals, especially the big cats, are back in their cages after 5.00 pm and most tourists prefer to visit them before going on to the other exhibits.
The zoo has a guest house located on Kelambakkam Road.
The zoo officials has roped in the services of private security personnel. From December 1, 2010, four persons from a private security service were deployed along with forest rangers for night patrolling.
Following the death of a llama at the park after swallowing a plastic bag, plastic materials have been banned inside the park premises. The members of the zoo club are 98 percent successful in controlling the entry of plastic materials inside the park. The zoo also plans to introduce "Friends of the Zoo" programme in line with the National Zoo Policy, prepared by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1998.
The park launched a zoo news letter in 2000 to serve as a source of current news and developments in the park. Efforts are being made to publish the news letter on regular intervals.
From 22nd to 24 September 2000, the park conducted a workshop for keeping and breeding amphibians in captivity for the first time in India.
The park, along with the Chennai Snake Park
, Madras Crocodile Bank
and the Mysore Zoo
, is slated to become a nodal point for captive breeding of endangered pythons in the country, especially the Indian rock python (Python molurus) and reticulated python
(Python reticulatus).
In 2007, the zoo started to construct a separate breeding enclosure for the lion-tailed macaque, proposing to bring under Foreign Animal Exchange Programme. The enclosure was built at the cost of 1.6 million at a silent, remote place in the park to provide a natural habitat for the animals and to ensure breeding. The total enclosure measures about 3,000 sq. m, including three rooms with about 250 sq. ft. Three pairs of macaque could be kept in these rooms. The habitat is planted with fruit-bearing trees, including gooseberry
and mangoes.
In July 2008, the world's first non-invasive
birth control
surgery on mugger crocodiles was performed in the park by the surgeons of the Madras Veterinary College
to control breeding and inbreeding.
In September 2008, the park initiated Adopt An Animal, an animal adoptation programme, which has seen a few takers so far in the state, with less than 20 sponsors, mostly individuals and companies, coming forward. The first adoptation began with adopting a spotted deer, a peacock, two lovebirds and a parrot in June 2009. The park has received money to a tune of 2.3 million from individuals and organisations for adopting animals between August 2010 and March 2011.
The park has developed an informative and illustrative guide in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmadabad
, providing zoo ethics and comprehensive information including road map to the animal enclosures and visitor amenities.
With the guidance provided by the Central Zoo Authority of India, kraals—fencing of a portion of the moated enclosure—were created in the herbivore enclosures in 2003 in order to isolate and treat sick or wounded animal. Herbivores with physical problems are isolated in the facility to be checked by the vets. One of the corners of the enclosure is chosen mainly to keep visitors away from the treated animals. Kraals have been created in the enclosures of spotted deer, blackbuck, sambar, nilghai, barking deer, hog deer, brow-antlered deer, moufflon and bison. To make the animals get accustomed to the kraal, the feed is kept inside the premises. Apart from treating animals, the kraal also acts as a place for isolating animals in rut. For example, during mating season, males often fight with each other leading to problems for the veterinarians. To overcome this, the males are kept in kraals in isolation from other males. Kraals also help research scholars in observing and recording the movement and other activities of the animal, thus helping with studying their behavioural pattern.
Rescue and rehabilitation centre
With the banning of training and exhibition of five species of animals, namely, lion
, tiger
, panther
, bear
and monkey
enforced by the Government of India
in 1998, a 92.45 hectares (228.4 acre) rescue and rehabilitation centre for animals was established next to the zoo with the assistance of the Central Zoo Authority in 2001. The area was acquired from the research wing of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department in continuity with the fodder bank of the zoo with an assistance of 14.598 million. The centre provides temporary and long-term care for confiscated and abandoned endangered animals, such as lions and tigers rescued from circuses, and is home to about 32 lions and 7 tigers. It has a capacity to house 40 lions and 20 tigers. It also has a reptile house and an aviary. The park is one of the five zoos in the country identified and funded by the Central Zoo Authority for the rehabilitation of circus animals. The rehabilitation centre is not open to the visitors.
Zoo veterinary hospital
The zoo veterinary hospital is responsible for disease prevention and health care management of the park's captive population. The hospital has a well-equipped operation theatre, in-patient ward, radiology unit, laboratory, clinical room, pathology room, quarantine facilities and convalescent yard fully functional to cater the needs of complete animal health care. It also includes a modern diagnostic laboratory with facility for periodic coprological examination, identification of causative organism, antiobiotic, sensitivity, pregnancy diagnosis, hematology, serology and urinalysis.
Water management
The zoo requires about 200000 litre of water per day for drinking, bathing animals, cleaning enclosures, and keeping the areas around them cool, much of which comes from the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board
(TWAD). The remainder comes from 13 open wells
, 5 borewells and the Otteri lake at the zoo. The zoo plans to set up rainwater harvesting
systems, including small bunds and check dams, to store water during the monsoon
that would otherwise be lost. Three troughs and a checkdam have already been constructed in the safari to help store the natural runoff from the nearby hillock.
Power management
To save power and increase safety, 14 enclosures at the park now have solar powered lights at a cost of 200,000. The lion safari (old and new) and enclosures for white tigers, panthers, bears, hyenas, chimpanzee, a pair of lions, jackal, wild dog, owl, sloth bear, and brown bear are now lit by solar power for about three hours each evening. Each system includes a solar panel and a 250 kv battery connected to a 33-volt bulb, and can supply power for up to 8 hours.
Heat management
The soaring temperature in Chennai, especially during summer, demands extra care for residents of the zoo and the park maintains an exclusive summer management schedule. All animal enclosures have thatched roofs and fresh river sand spread on the floor to make them cooler for the animals. Water is sprinkled on the sand to provide extra cooling. Caves that are exposed directly to the sun are put under a shower twice a day. The enclosure for the king cobra
has an air conditioner because the species cannot stand the summer heat. For birds, the topmost part of the cage is covered with jute bags and water is sprinkled three times a day. Based on the temperature, cucumber, buttermilk, apple and banana are also served to herbivores. In 2011, to increase the green cover, the Forest Department planned to plant 25,000 saplings in the zoo.
from the Vandalur reserve forest entered into the zoo premises, the zoo was closed over 45 days to facilitate search for the animal. After several attempts, the animal was finally trapped, and it was named after the zoo keeper, Arumugam, who first noticed the feline in the trap cage and alerted his superiors.
On 12 November 2007, a 13-ft long reticulated python
was found in a ventilator inside the pygmy hippopotamus
enclosure in the zoo. One of the zoo officials said the rescued python could have escaped from its enclosure, when it was young, 4 to 5 years ago. When the workers were trying to take the reptile, it bit one of the animal keepers, but since it was a non-poisonous one, the animal keeper was provided treatment for the injury. The reptile was feeding on small mammals, roaming freely inside the zoo, which helped it survive without any problem.
On the night of 10 July 2010, three sand boas (Eryx johnii), out of five in the enclosure, were reported stolen from the zoo.
In February 2011, the zoo began construction of a large new tiger cage at a cost of about 200,000 and the new cage will be linked to the existing one. The existing enclosure measures 26.64 feet in height, length and width. The new cage will be 13 metres (42.7 ft) tall at its highest point and 11 metres (36.1 ft) wide, enough for four adult tigers at a time. It will have separate entries for the animal keeper and the animals. Illuminated by solar-powered lights, it will have a sloping roof and good ventilation. There are 15 tigers in the zoo, 7 of which are white tigers.
For the first time since the shifting of the zoo from Park Town in 1979, the park is undergoing a major renovation costing 32.5 million, which is expected to be completed by the end of September 2011. The project includes creating huge lawns covering nearly 300 metres on both sides of the entrance, colourful murals on high-rise compound walls, tiled floors, an interpretation centre, similar to the one at the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary, with LED displays at the entrance and a souvenir shop selling memorabilia like T-shirts and artefacts showcasing the flora and fauna of the sub-continent. The project also involves construction of additional 20 computerised ticket counters to handle huge crowds.
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
located in Vandalur
Vandalur
Vandalur is a census town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Arignar Anna Zoological Park, located here houses some rare species of wild flora and fauna and is famous throughout India....
, a suburb in the southwestern part of Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, about 31 kilometres (19.3 mi) from the city centre and 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Chennai Airport on GST Road. The zoo is contiguous with the Guindy National Park
Guindy National Park
Guindy National Park is a Protected area of Tamil Nadu, located in Chennai, South India, is the 8th smallest National Park of India and one of the very few national parks situated inside a city. The park is an extension of the grounds surrounding Raj Bhavan, formerly known as the 'Guindy Lodge',...
. Founded in 1855, the park was the first public zoo in India. It is recognized by the Central Zoo Authority of India
Central Zoo Authority of India
The Central Zoo Authority of India is the body of the government of India responsible for oversight of zoos. It is an affiliate member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums ....
. Spread over an area of 602 hectares (1,487.6 acre), including a 92.45 hectares (228.4 acre) rescue and rehabilitation center, the park is the largest zoological garden in India and is home to seven white tigers. It houses more than 170 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of animals in about 81 enclosures. There are about 47 species of mammals, 63 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles, 5 species of amphibians, 25 species of fishes, and 10 species of insects in the park. The park, with an objective to be a repository of the state's fauna, is credited with being the state's second wildlife sanctuary after Mudumalai.
History
Edward Balfour
Edward Green Balfour was a Scottish surgeon, orientalist and pioneering environmentalist in India best known for the Cyclopaedia of India several editions of which were published after 1857.-Life and career:Balfour was the second son of Captain George Balfour of the East India Company marine service...
, then director of the Government Central Museum at Madras, persuaded the Nawab of the Carnatic
Nawab of the Carnatic
Nawabs of the Carnatic , ruled the Carnatic region of South India between about 1690 and 1801. They initially had their capital at Arcot,vellore city...
to donate his entire animal collection to the museum. This attracted large crowds and became the nucleus of the Madras Zoo, which was founded in 1855. Dr. Belford started the zoo on the museum premises, and it was later transferred to the Madras Corporation and shifted to 'People’s Park' near Central station
Chennai Central
Chennai Central , erstwhile Madras Central, is the main railway terminus in the city of Chennai . It is the home of the Southern Railway and the most important rail hub in South India. The other major railway hub stations in the city are Chennai Egmore and Tambaram...
at Park Town
Park Town, Chennai
Park Town is a suburb in the north of Chennai , India. The area got its name from the People's Park which was situated near the Ripon Building. It was earlier known as White Town, as the Europeans used to stay here....
in 1861 as it was growing. The municipal zoological garden occupied one end of the 116 acres (46.9 ha) park and was open free to the public.
By 1975, the zoo could no longer expand, and it had to be moved out of the city because of space constraints and increased noise pollution due to the city's high-density traffic. Hence a plan was prepared in 1976 to maintain these animals in good simulated condition. In 1979, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department was established as the Madras Forest Department in 1855 by Dr. Hugh Francis Cleghorn, "the father of scientific forestry in India". The department is responsible for managing all the protected areas and forests plus environmental and wildlife related issues of Tamil...
set aside 1265 acres (511.9 ha) in the Vandalur
Vandalur
Vandalur is a census town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Arignar Anna Zoological Park, located here houses some rare species of wild flora and fauna and is famous throughout India....
Reserve Forest
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
on the outskirts of the city to build the current zoo, which is the largest zoological garden in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
and one of the largest in the world. Work started in 1979 at an initial cost of 75 million, and the zoo in its new premises was officially opened to public on 24 July 1985 by the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu M.G. Ramachandran, when most of the works were completed. In 2001, 92.45 hectares (228.4 acre) of land next to the park was acquired to build a rescue and rehabilitation center for confiscated and abandoned wild animals, increasing the park size to 602 hectares (1,487.6 acre).
The zoo was the first to hold an All-India Zoo Superintendents Conference in 1955, as part of the centenary celebrations. The zoo is named after Tamil
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
politician Arignar Anna. During April 2010-March 2011, the zoo attracted nearly 1,810,846 visitors against 11,87,904 visitors in 2006-2007. In November 2010, the total revenue was 46.9 million against 40.2 million during October 2009. There has been an increase of more than 200,000 visitors in 2010 compared to 2009 and the park had recorded a 21 percent increase in the number of visitors. The number of visitors raises to the peak on the Kaanum Pongal day, a day in the festival season of mid-January, when the visitor count goes up to 35,000 in a single day. An all-time record of 57,000 visitors a day was registered on the Kannum Pongal day of 2009, resulting in a revenue of 1.015 million.
Location
The park is located at Vandalur in the southwestern part of the Chennai Metropolitan Area, about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from TambaramTambaram
Tambaram is a suburb of Chennai situated 27 km south of the city in Tamil Nadu, India. It is an urban node. Tambaram is a hub to all major destinations in south Tamil Nadu as it lies on the busy Chennai–Trichy national highway. The highway and the railway line from Chennai Egmore to...
and about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Chennai Airport. The entrance to the zoo lies in the eastern side of the Chennai-Tiruchi Highway (National Highway 45
National Highway 45 (India)
Grand Southern Trunk Road or National Highway 45 is one of the busiest National Highways in Southern India with a total length of . The highway starts from Kathipara junction in Guindy, a very busy confluence of five roads in southern Chennai and extends up to Theni. It connects Chennai to its...
), also known as the Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road. Public buses from the park include A18 (to Broadway), B18 (to Korukkupettai), PP66 (to Poonamallee), PP70 (to Avadi), 114 (to Red Hills), 170A (to Madhavaram) and 170T (to Kaviarasu Kannadasan Nagar). Other buses which go to Guduvanchery, Chengalpet, Maraimalai Nagar, Mahendira City, Thiruporrur and Mamallapuram also stop at the zoo. There are 92 bus services to Vandalur every day of the week, and in addition to this, there are 90 bus routes that go via Vandalur to places like Guduvanchery and Chengelpet. The Chennai suburban railway
Chennai suburban railway
Chennai suburban railway is a commuter rail system in the Indian city of Chennai operated by the Southern Railway. Chennai has a complex railway network. The system uses electrical multiple units operating on alternating current drawn from over-head cables through the catenary system...
network has a stop named "Vandalur" about 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi) from the main entrance of the park.
Objectives and organisational structure
Overall management of the zoo is vested in the Director, Arignar Anna Zoological Park. The director is also the Member Secretary of The Zoo Authority of Tamil Nadu, which started functioning from 1 April 2005, and comprises the following members:
- The Secretary to Government, Environment and Forest Department (Chairman)
- The Secretary to Government, Finance Department (Member)
- The Secretary to Government, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department (Member)
- The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Tamil Nadu (Member)
- Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Member)
- Director, Department of Environment (Member)
- Commissioner, Tourism Department (Member)
- Chief Wildlife Warden, Tamil Nadu (Member)
There are currently about 170 staff, including about 50 animal keepers and 20 temporary staff, against a sanctioned strength of 300, including forest rangers, wildlife keepers, biologists and veterinary doctors.
The park's environment
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
consists of dry deciduous
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
and dry evergreen
Evergreen
In botany, an evergreen plant is a plant that has leaves in all seasons. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs...
scrub forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
vegetation of the Eastern Ghats, a degraded forest consisting of mostly thorny bushes, receiving an average annual rain
Rain
Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to non-liquid kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of the atmosphere to have temperatures above the melting point of water near and above the Earth's surface...
fall of 1400 millimetres (55.1 in) and an average annual temperature of 26°C. The terrain is a gentle undulating one with the altitude ranging from 10 m to 100 m with an average elevation of 50 metres (164 ft) above sea level. The park was designed in such a way as to keep the natural vegetation of the area intact except where the enclosures, roads and structures had to be constructed. Originally a sparse scrub forest invaded by weeds, consisting of species such as Carissa
Carissa
Carissa is a genus of about 20-30 species of shrubs or small trees native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Australia and Asia....
sp., Gmelina
Gmelina
Gmelina is a genus of plant in family Lamiaceae. It was named in honour of botanist Johann Georg Gmelin.Species include:* Gmelina arborea* Gmelina asiatica* Gmelina fasciculiflora - Northern White Beech, Australia...
sp., Eugenia
Eugenia
Eugenia is a genus of flowering plants in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. It has a worldwide, although highly uneven, distribution in tropical and subtropical regions. The bulk of the approximately 1,000 species occur in the New World tropics, especially in the northern Andes, the Caribbean, and the...
sp., Acacia
Acacia
Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not...
sp., Instia sp. and few other species of dry evergreen forest type, the park's vegetation was gradually enriched by planting dry evergreen species ever since the construction of the park. The entire campus has been fortified by means of a compound wall, preventing any biotic interference in the park and allowing the natural growth of vegetation, which eventually endowed the park an aesthetic look of a natural forest. The park is built based on the 'open zoo' concept. The exhibits were originally based on taxonomic and geographical distribution of the species but has now been replaced by ecological niches and habitats. The order of priority is local species, followed by regional, national and international species. The use of moats has made it possible to have a panorama of wildlife such that predators and prey can be housed in one extended enclosure. There are over 75 moated enclosures
Moat
A moat is a deep, broad ditch, either dry or filled with water, that surrounds a castle, other building or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices...
in the park.
Most of the exhibits in the zoo lie along the arterial circular road covering a distance of about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi). Smaller mammals and other exhibits are located along the three inner roads of the park. The park area is dotted with large open island-type enclosures and chain-link fence, with camouflaged wet and dry moats, hidden walls and simulated natural environment for the inmates of the park.
The remaining area makes up the free-range zone—an open area which makes up the bulk of the park and where animals such as deer and jackals are left to roam free. There are more than 500 deer of different varieties and an equal number of jackals in the free-range zone. Apart from this, there are four enclosures for deer—each housing about 30 animals. The two animals are found in equal numbers and are known for their fast-breeding ability, especially in their natural environment. The deer–jackal ratio is maintained by the 'natural method of selection'—allowing the stronger ones to prey on the weaker ones—a natural way of balancing the ecological system.
Otteri lake situated within the park premises is the roosting ground for a wide array of aquatic migratory birds like the open-bill stork, painted stork
Painted Stork
The Painted Stork is a large wading bird in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in South Asia and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters...
, white ibis
White Ibis
There are three species of bird named White Ibis.* American White Ibis, Eudocimus albus* Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca* Asiatic White Ibis is an alternative name for the Black-headed Ibis, Threskiornis melanocephala...
, grey heron
Grey Heron
The Grey Heron , is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions...
, night heron
Night heron
The night herons are medium-sized herons in the genera Nycticorax, Nyctanassa and Gorsachius. The genus name Nycticorax derives from the Greek for “night raven” and refers to the largely nocturnal feeding habits of this group of birds, and the croaking crow-like call of the best known species, the...
, cormorants, darters, egrets, dabchicks
Little Grebe
The Little Grebe , also known as Dabchick, member of the grebe family of water birds. At 23 to 29 cm in length it is the smallest European member of its family. It is commonly found in open bodies of water across most of its range.-Description:The Little Grebe is a small water bird with a pointed...
, pelicans, great pelicans, glossy ibis
Glossy Ibis
The Glossy Ibis is a wading bird in the ibis family Threskiornithidae.This is the most widespread ibis species, breeding in scattered sites in warm regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Atlantic and Caribbean region of the Americas...
and moorhen
Moorhen
Moorhens, sometimes called marsh hens, are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family Rallidae. They constitute the genus Gallinula....
and is a bird watchers' paradise. The 7 hectares (17.3 acre) lake, surrounded by a variety of trees, attracts a large number of migratory birds in October, November and December. Both terrestrial and aquatic birds of about 70 species congregate here during the season. On an average, every year, around 10,000 migratory birds visit the lake. About 230 saplings of Barringtonia
Barringtonia
Barringtonia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lecythidaceae. A common name is cornbeefwood.Bengali name is "Hijalna".Species include:* Barringtonia acutangula* Barringtonia asiatica* Barringtonia calyptrata...
, a species native to mangrove habitats, have been planted inside the lake to attract more birds.
Exhibits
such as the barking deer, blackbuck
Blackbuck
Blackbuck is a species of antelope native to the Indian subcontinent. Their range decreased sharply during the 20th century. Since 2003, the IUCN lists the species as near threatened....
, sambar, sangai
Sangai
The Sangai is an endemic, rare and endangered Brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur, India. Its common English name is Manipur Brow-antlered Deer and the scientific name, Rucervus eldi eldi McClelland. It lives in the marshy wetland in Keibul Lamjao about 45 km from Imphal...
, nilgai
Nilgai
The nilgai , sometimes called nilgau, is an antelope, and is one of the most commonly seen wild animals of central and northern India and eastern Pakistan; it is also present in parts of southern Nepal. The mature males appear ox-like and are also known as blue bulls...
, wolf, tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
, jaguar
Jaguar
The jaguar is a big cat, a feline in the Panthera genus, and is the only Panthera species found in the Americas. The jaguar is the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The jaguar's present range extends from Southern United States and Mexico...
, panther
Panthera
Panthera is a genus of the family Felidae , which contains four well-known living species: the tiger, the lion, the jaguar, and the leopard. The genus comprises about half of the Pantherinae subfamily, the big cats...
, hog deer
Hog Deer
The Hog Deer is a small deer whose habitat ranges from Pakistan, through northern India, to mainland southeast Asia...
, jackal
Jackal
Although the word jackal has been historically used to refer to many small- to medium-sized species of the wolf genus of mammals, Canis, today it most properly and commonly refers to three species: the black-backed jackal and the side-striped jackal of sub-Saharan Africa, and the golden jackal of...
, hyena
Hyena
Hyenas or Hyaenas are the animals of the family Hyaenidae of suborder feliforms of the Carnivora. It is the fourth smallest biological family in the Carnivora , and one of the smallest in the mammalia...
, lion
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
, giraffe
Giraffe
The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all extant land-living animal species, and the largest ruminant...
, camel
Camel
A camel is an even-toed ungulate within the genus Camelus, bearing distinctive fatty deposits known as humps on its back. There are two species of camels: the dromedary or Arabian camel has a single hump, and the bactrian has two humps. Dromedaries are native to the dry desert areas of West Asia,...
, otter
Otter
The Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
, llama
Llama
The llama is a South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since pre-Hispanic times....
, elephant
Elephant
Elephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
, a number of monkey species like Nilgiri langur
Nilgiri Langur
The Nilgiri langur is a lutung found in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats in South India. Its range also includes Kodagu in Karnataka,Kodayar Hills in Tamil Nadu and many other hilly areas in Kerala and Tamil nadu. This primate has glossy black fur on its body and golden brown fur on its head...
, lion-tailed macaque
Lion-tailed Macaque
The lion-tailed macaque is an Old World monkey that is endemic to the Western Ghats of South India.-Physical Characteristics:...
, baboon
Baboon
Baboons are African and Arabian Old World monkeys belonging to the genus Papio, part of the subfamily Cercopithecinae. There are five species, which are some of the largest non-hominoid members of the primate order; only the mandrill and the drill are larger...
, Hanuman langur and leaf-capped langur
Capped Langur
The capped langur is a species of primate in the Cercopithecidae family. It is found in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, China, India, and Myanmar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests...
. There are about 46 endangered animals of the Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
, the Eastern Ghats
Eastern Ghats
The Eastern Ghats or Eastern Ghauts are a discontinuous range of mountains along India's eastern coast. The Eastern Ghats run from West Bengal state in the north, through Orissa and Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu in the south passing some parts of Karnataka. They are eroded and cut through by the...
and the Indian subcontinent
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent, Indo-Pak Subcontinent or South Asian Subcontinent is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate from the Hindu Kush or Hindu Koh, Himalayas and including the Kuen Lun and Karakoram ranges, forming a land mass which extends...
such as the Nilgiri macaques
Nilgiri Langur
The Nilgiri langur is a lutung found in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats in South India. Its range also includes Kodagu in Karnataka,Kodayar Hills in Tamil Nadu and many other hilly areas in Kerala and Tamil nadu. This primate has glossy black fur on its body and golden brown fur on its head...
, as well as other rare species including monitor lizard
Monitor lizard
Monitor lizards are usually large reptiles, although some can be as small as in length. They have long necks, powerful tails and claws, and well-developed limbs. Most species are terrestrial, but arboreal and semiaquatic monitors are also known...
, chimpanzees, European brown bear, Muscovy duck
Muscovy Duck
The Muscovy Duck is a large duck which is native to Mexico and Central and South America. A small wild population reaches into the United States in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas...
, giraffe
Giraffe
The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all extant land-living animal species, and the largest ruminant...
, Bengal tiger
Bengal Tiger
The Bengal tiger is a tiger subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent that in 2010 has been classified as endangered by IUCN...
, white tiger
White tiger
The white tiger is a recessive mutant of the Bengal tiger, which was reported in the wild from time to time in Assam, Bengal, Bihar and especially from the former State of Rewa.-Color comparison:...
, lemur
Lemur
Lemurs are a clade of strepsirrhine primates endemic to the island of Madagascar. They are named after the lemures of Roman mythology due to the ghostly vocalizations, reflective eyes, and the nocturnal habits of some species...
, macaque
Macaque
The macaques constitute a genus of Old World monkeys of the subfamily Cercopithecinae. - Description :Aside from humans , the macaques are the most widespread primate genus, ranging from Japan to Afghanistan and, in the case of the barbary macaque, to North Africa...
, vulture
Vulture
Vulture is the name given to two groups of convergently evolved scavenging birds, the New World Vultures including the well-known Californian and Andean Condors, and the Old World Vultures including the birds which are seen scavenging on carcasses of dead animals on African plains...
, and star tortoises
Indian Star Tortoise
The Indian star tortoise is a species of tortoise found in dry areas and scrub forest in India and Sri Lanka. This species is quite popular in the exotic pet trade.-Anatomy and morphology:...
. The park is also home to exotic species such as emu
Emu
The Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. There are three subspecies of Emus in Australia...
and cassowary
Cassowary
The cassowaries are ratites, very large flightless birds in the genus Casuarius native to the tropical forests of New Guinea, nearby islands and northeastern Australia. There are three extant species recognized today...
, which are flightless birds from Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The park contains about 138 plant species, including cashew
Cashew
The cashew is a tree in the family Anacardiaceae. Its English name derives from the Portuguese name for the fruit of the cashew tree, caju, which in turn derives from the indigenous Tupi name, acajú. It is now widely grown in tropical climates for its cashew nuts and cashew apples.-Etymology:The...
and eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
.
The zoo houses 2,553 species of flora and fauna across 1265 acres (511.9 ha). The Central Zoo Authority of India has identified the park as coordinating zoo for the breeding programmes for endangered species as per the National Zoo Policy adopted by the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
in 1988, which states that the main objective of zoos will be to complement and strengthen national efforts in the conservation of the country's rich biodiversity and that the species which have no chance of survival in the wild would be bred under ex-situ conditions. The park has a high rate of success in captive breeding
Captive breeding
Captive breedingis the process of breeding animals in human controlled environments with restricted settings, such as wildlife reserves, zoos and other conservation facilities; sometimes the process is construed to include release of individual organisms to the wild, when there is sufficient...
of lion-tailed macaque
Lion-tailed Macaque
The lion-tailed macaque is an Old World monkey that is endemic to the Western Ghats of South India.-Physical Characteristics:...
s. In 2010, the zoo had 22 lion-tailed macaques, from a breeding pair that were brought to the zoo in 1983. The park is also successful in breeding other rare species in captivity, including ostrich
Ostrich
The Ostrich is one or two species of large flightless birds native to Africa, the only living member of the genus Struthio. Some analyses indicate that the Somali Ostrich may be better considered a full species apart from the Common Ostrich, but most taxonomists consider it to be a...
, Asian palm civet, Indian gaur
Gaur
The gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...
, wild dog
Wild dog
Wild dog is a term broadly applied to canines which are either not domesticated or not owned. It may also refer to:* Feral dogs, domestic dogs living as wild animals....
, Asiatic lion
Asiatic Lion
The Asiatic lion also known as the Indian lion, Persian lion and Eurasian Lion is a subspecies of lion. The only place in the wild where the lion is found is in the Gir Forest of Gujarat, India...
, Nilgiri langur
Nilgiri Langur
The Nilgiri langur is a lutung found in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats in South India. Its range also includes Kodagu in Karnataka,Kodayar Hills in Tamil Nadu and many other hilly areas in Kerala and Tamil nadu. This primate has glossy black fur on its body and golden brown fur on its head...
, sangai
Sangai
The Sangai is an endemic, rare and endangered Brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur, India. Its common English name is Manipur Brow-antlered Deer and the scientific name, Rucervus eldi eldi McClelland. It lives in the marshy wetland in Keibul Lamjao about 45 km from Imphal...
, hippo
Hippopotamus
The hippopotamus , or hippo, from the ancient Greek for "river horse" , is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal in sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae After the elephant and rhinoceros, the hippopotamus is the third largest land mammal and the heaviest...
, Malabar giant squirrel
Indian Giant Squirrel
The Indian giant squirrel, or Malabar giant squirrel, is a large tree squirrel species genus Ratufa native to India. It is a large-bodied diurnal, arboreal, and herbivorous squirrel found in South Asia.-Description:...
, white tiger
White tiger
The white tiger is a recessive mutant of the Bengal tiger, which was reported in the wild from time to time in Assam, Bengal, Bihar and especially from the former State of Rewa.-Color comparison:...
, Asiatic wolf
Dhole
The dhole is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the only extant member of the genus Cuon, which differs from Canis by the reduced number of molars and greater number of teats...
, panther
Panther
-Large cats:* Panthera, the feline genus which contains lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars* Panther , the leopard * Panther , the cougar or mountain lion...
and bison
Bison
Members of the genus Bison are large, even-toed ungulates within the subfamily Bovinae. Two extant and four extinct species are recognized...
. The zoo is among four in the country to have an ostrich. The park also undertakes cross-breeding as part of its conservation
Conservation biology
Conservation biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction...
efforts. The park is also a participating zoo of the CZA for the captive breeding of rock python, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, Asiatic lion, wild dog, Asiatic wolf, and gaur.
| Group | Number of species | Number of animals |
|---|---|---|
| Mammal Mammal Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young... s |
46 | 430 |
| Bird Bird Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from... s |
62 | 534 |
| Reptile Reptile Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors... s |
29 | 351 |
| Amphibian Amphibian Amphibians , are a class of vertebrate animals including animals such as toads, frogs, caecilians, and salamanders. They are characterized as non-amniote ectothermic tetrapods... s |
5 | 72 |
| Fish Fish Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups... |
21 | 265 |
| Total | 163 | 1,657 |
Safaris
Safari
A safari is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists to Africa. Traditionally, the term is used for a big-game hunt, but today the term often refers to a trip taken not for the purposes of hunting, but to observe and photograph animals and other wildlife.-Etymology:Entering the English...
parks for lion
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
, gaur
Gaur
The gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...
and deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
have been created on a hilly terrain covering an area of 70 hectares (173 acre), and visitors can see the animals in their natural habitats. The lion park has been developed in an area of 30 hectares (74.1 acre) at a cost of about 2.358 million and is operational since October 1990 providing the visitors a 15-min drive into the safari. The safari contains 15 animals and these are involved in captive breeding.
The deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
park was opened in 2008. It covers more than 30 hectares (74.1 acre) and is home to more than 100 animals including sambar and spotted deer
Chital
The chital or cheetal , also known as chital deer, spotted deer or axis deer is a deer which commonly inhabits wooded regions of Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and in small numbers in Pakistan...
.
Elephant
Elephant
Elephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
safari was introduced in the zoo in the summer of 2008. Visitors can travel on elephants for a tour around the zoo. The park is the only place after Mudumalai in the Nilgiris that organises elephant safari rides in the state. There are 3 elephants in the park and 2 more have been brought from Mudumalai to start the safari.
The park authorities plan to create a new Indian Gaur safari in 2011 in part of the current lion safari area. The lion safari has two geographical regions—hilly and plains. At present, the lions move around in the plains region (about 12 hectares (29.7 acre) of the 30 hectares (74.1 acre) total area) and are not allowed into the hilly region. The proposed gaur safari would be created on the 18 hectares (44.5 acre) of hilly terrain. A night safari in the park is also being promoted. The night safari will have two components, viz., an animal exhibit area and an entertainment area. The night safari is being established for providing opportunity to observe the natural wildlife behaviour and activities in the night hours. During 2010-11, the Night Safari scheme will be implemented at a cost of 40.2 million.
Butterfly house
The butterfly house, constructed at a cost of 6 million, has more than 25 host plants and landscaped habitats, such as bushes, lianas, streams, waterfall and rock-gardens, that attract many species of butterflies such as the common Mormon, crimson rose, mottled emigrant
Catopsilia pyranthe
The Mottled Emigrant, Catopsilia pyranthe, is a medium sized butterfly of the Family Pieridae found in South Asia, Southeast Asia and parts of Australia.-Male:The upperside is chalky-white, slightly tinted in some specimens with green...
, blue tiger
Tirumala limniace
The Blue Tiger is a butterfly found in India that belongs to the Crows and Tigers, that is, the Danaid group of the Brush-footed butterflies family. This butterfly shows gregarious migratory behaviour in southern India.-Description:...
, evening brown
Melanitis leda
Melanitis leda, the Common Evening Brown, is a common species of butterfly found flying at dusk. The flight of this species is erratic. They are found in Africa, South Asia and South-east Asia extending to parts of Australia.-Description:...
and lime butterfly
Papilio demoleus
Papilio demoleus, the Common Lime Butterfly, is a common and widespread Swallowtail butterfly. It gets its name from its host plants which are usually citrus species such as the cultivated lime. Unlike most swallowtail butterflies it does not have a prominent tail...
. A network of ponds interconnected by streams maintains humidity in the area. The park covers an area of 5 acres. The butterfly garden with an insect museum at the entrance is set up by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore. The insect museum has been planned with an exhibit area comprising insect exhibits representing the most common Indian species of all orders of insects both in the form of preserved specimens and photographs.
Two aviaries at the zoo were designed to imitate specific bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu. The Point Calimere Aviary represents a sanctuary on a bay on the Coromandel
Coromandel
Coromandel may refer to:*Coromandel, New Zealand*Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand*Coromandel *Coromandel International*Coromandel Coast, India**Dutch Coromandel*Coromandel, Minas Gerais, a Brazilian city*Coromandel, Mauritius...
Coast of the District of Nagapattinam, where migratory birds including flamingos, seagulls, teal
Teal
Teal may mean:* Teal , a medium greenish-blue color* Various ducks:** Baikal Teal, Anas formosa** Black Teal, Aythya novaeseelandiae** Blue-winged Teal, Anas discors** Brown Teal, Anas aucklandica** Campbell Teal Anas nesiotis...
s, stork
Stork
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. They belong to the family Ciconiidae. They are the only family in the biological order Ciconiiformes, which was once much larger and held a number of families....
s and heron
Heron
The herons are long-legged freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae. There are 64 recognised species in this family. Some are called "egrets" or "bitterns" instead of "heron"....
s can be seen between October and February each year. These species can be seen year-round in this aviary, where flamingos can feed in the shallows while seagulls swim in deeper water. The aviary has a small island (about 30 square metres (35.9 sq yd)) with bushy vegetation, and water covering about 110 square metres (131.6 sq yd). The Vedanthangal Sanctuary Aviary represents a sanctuary located in the district of Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
. It is planted with Acacia nilotica
Acacia nilotica
Acacia nilotica is a species of Acacia native to Africa and the Indian subcontinent...
, bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
and other tree species which offer convenient places for birds to rest. Birds such as white ibis
White Ibis
There are three species of bird named White Ibis.* American White Ibis, Eudocimus albus* Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca* Asiatic White Ibis is an alternative name for the Black-headed Ibis, Threskiornis melanocephala...
, painted stork
Painted Stork
The Painted Stork is a large wading bird in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in South Asia and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters...
, night heron
Night heron
The night herons are medium-sized herons in the genera Nycticorax, Nyctanassa and Gorsachius. The genus name Nycticorax derives from the Greek for “night raven” and refers to the largely nocturnal feeding habits of this group of birds, and the croaking crow-like call of the best known species, the...
and grey heron
Grey Heron
The Grey Heron , is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions...
are found here, and baskets have been provided to facilitate breeding.
The Terrestrial Aviary was opened in 1992, but was closed within a few years due to maintenance issues. It was renovated and reopened in 2010 as the Bio Centre. This 1.5 acre (0.607029 ha) walk-through aviary
Aviary
An aviary is a large enclosure for confining birds. Unlike cages, aviaries allow birds a larger living space where they can fly; hence, aviaries are also sometimes known as flight cages...
cost about 2 million, and is located on a slope behind the tiger house (12.8823035°N 80.0913191°W). The aviary is home to about 150 birds of 13 different species including kingfisher
Kingfisher
Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...
, rose-ringed parakeet
Rose-ringed Parakeet
The Rose-ringed Parakeet , also known as the Ringnecked Parakeet, is a gregarious tropical parakeet species that has an extremely large range. Since the trend of the population appears to be increasing, the species has been evaluated as Least Concern by IUCN in 2009.Rose-ringed parakeets are...
, red-whiskered bulbul
Red-whiskered Bulbul
The Red-whiskered Bulbul is a passerine bird found in Asia. It is a member of the bulbul family. It is a resident frugivore found mainly in tropical Asia. It has been introduced in many tropical areas of the world where populations have established themselves...
, white-browed bulbul
White-browed Bulbul
The White-browed Bulbul is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a resident breeder in Sri Lanka and peninsular India. Largely olive coloured above with whitish underparts, it has a pale supercilium and a yellow vent...
, Alexandrine parakeet
Alexandrine Parakeet
The Alexandrine Parakeet or Alexandrian Parrot is a member of the psittaciformes order and of the psittacines family...
, common myna
Common Myna
The Common Myna or Indian Myna also sometimes spelled Mynah, is a member of family Sturnidae native to Asia. An omnivorous open woodland bird with a strong territorial instinct, the Myna has adapted extremely well to urban environments...
, koel
Koel
The true koels, Eudynamys, are a genus of cuckoos from Asia, Australia and the Pacific. They are large sexually dimorphic cuckoos which eat fruits and insects and have loud distinctive calls. They are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other species.In New Zealand the Long-tailed...
, crow
Crow
Crows form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-size jackdaws to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents and several...
, pheasant
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
s, peacocks, partridge
Partridge
Partridges are birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are a non-migratory Old World group.These are medium-sized birds, intermediate between the larger pheasants and the smaller quails. Partridges are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East...
s, quails and blue rock pigeon
Rock Pigeon
The Rock Dove or Rock Pigeon, is a member of the bird family Columbidae . In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the "pigeon"....
, as well as reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. The birds are grouped into three categories—lower, middle and upper nesting varieties. The height of the aviary ranges from 5 metres (16.4 ft) at the top of the slope to 12 metres (39.4 ft) at the bottom, with the chain link "roof" sloping downward from west to east. The aviary is surrounded by a 1 metres (3.3 ft) wall, and the four sides above this are covered with steel and blue-coloured nylon net in order to provide an open-sky effect. The ground is floored by tiled footpath lawned with Korean grass
Grass
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...
to maintain the humidity level. The moist deciduous habitat supports 22 tree and shrub species.
Reptile house/Serpentarium
The reptile house or the serpentarium is built in a twining snake-like model with entrance and exit points in the snake's mouth and tail, respectively. The serpentarium has 24 enclosures exhibiting 4 species of poisonous and 10 species of non-poisonous snakes. The house was opened to public in the year 1989. The park has initiated controlled breeding programme for Indian rock python. Each vivarium has been renovated by changing substratum and providing perch and hide outs. The top of the opening in RCC roof is closed with transparent acrylic sheet to avoid rain and the walled enclosure enables the snake to exhibit all natural behaviours. The king cobra
King Cobra
The king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.6 m . This species, which preys chiefly on other snakes, is found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia...
is one of the star attractions of this park. This species is scientifically kept and maintained in constant temperature by providing air conditioning and hot spot.
Amphibian house
The park stands first in the country for establishing an amphibian captive facility and it is the only zoo in the country to have amphibians on display. Locally available species such as Indian tree frog
Polypedates maculatus
The Common Indian Tree Frog or Chunam Tree Frog is a common species of tree frog found in South Asia. It was described by John Edward Gray in 1830....
(Polypedates maculatus), common Indian toad (Bufo melanasticus), Indian bull frog
Bullfrog
The American bullfrog , often simply known as the bullfrog in Canada and the United States, is an aquatic frog, a member of the family Ranidae, or “true frogs”, native to much of North America. This is a frog of larger, permanent water bodies, swamps, ponds, and lakes, where it is usually found...
(Rana tigirina), Indian cricket frog
Cricket frog
Cricket frogs, genus Acris, are small, North American frogs of the family Hylidae. They are more aquatic than other members of the family and are generally associated with permanent bodies of water with surface vegetation. The common and scientific names refer to their call, which resembles that...
(Limnonectus limnocharis) and Indian pond frog
Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis
The Indian Skipper Frog or Skittering Frog is a common frog found in South Asia. They are slimy and are often seen at the edge of bodies of water with their eyes above the water. They noisily move away from the shore when disturbed, giving them their common name...
(Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) are exhibited in the Amphibian Centre. A water recycling system has been introduced to keep the house clean and plants have been planted inside each tank to add green fresh look.
Crocodile enclosure
Gharial
The gharial , , also called Indian gavial or gavial, is the only surviving member of the once well-represented family Gavialidae, a long-established group of crocodilians with long, slender snouts...
, the marsh crocodile, the salt water crocodile and the American spectacled caiman
Spectacled Caiman
The spectacled caiman , also known as the white caiman or common caiman, is a crocodilian reptile found in much of Central and South America. It lives in a range of lowland wetland and riverine habitat types and can tolerate salt water as well as fresh; due in part to this adaptability it is the...
. Except the Cuban crocodile
Cuban crocodile
The Cuban crocodile is a small species of crocodile found only in Cuba's Zapata Swamp and the Isle of Youth, and highly endangered, though it formerly ranged elsewhere in the Caribbean...
, the park has rest of the seven major varieties such as Indo-Pacific or the salt water crocodile, swamp crocodile
Mugger Crocodile
The mugger crocodile , also called the Indian, Indus, Persian, or marsh crocodile, is found throughout the Indian subcontinent and the surrounding countries...
, Nile crocodile
Nile crocodile
The Nile crocodile or Common crocodile is an African crocodile which is common in Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Gabon, South Africa, Malawi, Sudan, Botswana, and Cameroon...
of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Orinoco crocodile
Orinoco Crocodile
The Orinoco crocodile, Crocodylus intermedius, is a critically endangered crocodile found in freshwater in northern South America, in particular the Orinoco River. Typical measurements for adults range from 3 to 4.8 m . Typical weight for mature females is 200 kg and 380 kg for males...
, Morelet's crocodile
Morelet's Crocodile
Morelet's crocodile, also known as the Mexican crocodile, is a modest sized crocodilian found only in fresh waters of the Atlantic regions of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. It usually grows to about in length. It is an endangered species.-History:...
and American crocodile. In the eight enclaves for crocodiles, there are 115 adult specimens and more than 200 young ones belonging to the six varieties. This includes two pairs of fresh water adult crocodiles. Many of the species also breed here.
The primate house includes some unique endangered primate species like the lion-tailed macaque
Lion-tailed Macaque
The lion-tailed macaque is an Old World monkey that is endemic to the Western Ghats of South India.-Physical Characteristics:...
, Nilgiri langur
Nilgiri Langur
The Nilgiri langur is a lutung found in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats in South India. Its range also includes Kodagu in Karnataka,Kodayar Hills in Tamil Nadu and many other hilly areas in Kerala and Tamil nadu. This primate has glossy black fur on its body and golden brown fur on its head...
, capped langur
Capped Langur
The capped langur is a species of primate in the Cercopithecidae family. It is found in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, China, India, and Myanmar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests...
and chimpanzee
Chimpanzee
Chimpanzee, sometimes colloquially chimp, is the common name for the two extant species of ape in the genus Pan. The Congo River forms the boundary between the native habitat of the two species:...
. The park is also the National Studbook Keeper for the endangered lion-tailed macaque, nominated by the Central Zoo Authority of India. With the successful execution of the Co-ordinated Captive Breeding Programme (CCBP), the park accounts for around 36 per cent of lion-tailed macaques in the country's zoos.
World of nocturnal animals
The nocturnal animals section houses six species. The biological rhythm and cycle of the animals has been modified so that they are active during the day time and sleep during the night time.
Small mammals house
The newly constructed Small Mammals House has animals such as the grizzled giant squirrel
Grizzled Giant Squirrel
The grizzled giant squirrel is a large tree squirrel in the genus Ratufa found in the highlands of the Central and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka, and in patches of riparian forest along the Kaveri River and in the hill forests in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala states of southern India...
and the Malayan giant squirrel
Black Giant Squirrel
The black giant squirrel is a large tree squirrel in the genus Ratufa native to the Indomalayan zootope...
. The zoo also houses many small carnivores and animals of the Western Ghats.
Aquarium
The shark-modelled aquarium, with its entrance and exit points in the form of gills of the shark, is set amidst a pond and houses 31 species of fresh-water fishes. The pond surrounding the aquarium too has different varieties of fishes.
Other sections
Other sections in the zoo include the prey–predator concept enclosures (tiger–sambar), Prehistoric Animal Park with life-size models of prehistoric animals and insectarium complex, apart from an interpretation center, zoo school and children's park. The zoo school has formulated conservation, education and awareness programmes for academics and general public that includes teacher training, zoo out reach and volunteers programmes, such as Zoo Club Volunteer Programme and Animal Keepers Training Programme. The zoo also has a library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
with a collection of wildlife-related books.
Other facilities
The park has tree-lined paved paths for long treks inside the zoo, and visitors can easily walk 15–20 km (9.3–12.4 mi) during a visit. Battery-operated vehicleBattery electric vehicle
A battery electric vehicle, or BEV, is a type of electric vehicle that uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs. BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of, or in addition to, internal combustion engines for propulsion.A battery-only electric vehicle or...
s with a range of up to 80 kilometres (49.7 mi) are available for rent. There are about 9 such vehicles in addition to the 4 battery-operated vans used for the lion safari and 4 diesel-run road rails used for going around the zoo, and plans to purchase more. Each vehicle carries 15 to 20 people, and each trip takes about an hour. A trial program of 20 rental bicycles for visitors, including 5 for children, was launched in 2008. The bicycles are an eco-friendly option that will hopefully reduce demand for the battery-operated cars. An e-bike facility was also inaugurated on 20 February 2010.
There is a snack bar run by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation is an agency of Government of Tamil Nadu entrusted with promotion of tourism to Tamil Nadu and development of tourist infrastructure.-References:**...
(TTDC), an ice cream parlor and a drinks counter—all near the entrance. The park also maintains 16 toilets and nearly two dozen taps within the premises for the visitors. However, there are not many refreshment counters within the zoo. The zoo is open to public from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm except Tuesdays. All the animals, especially the big cats, are back in their cages after 5.00 pm and most tourists prefer to visit them before going on to the other exhibits.
The zoo has a guest house located on Kelambakkam Road.
The zoo officials has roped in the services of private security personnel. From December 1, 2010, four persons from a private security service were deployed along with forest rangers for night patrolling.
Programmes and activities
The park has a zoo club, comprising college students, which was formed in 1997. The club helps keep the premises clean and the members also conduct educational programmes and carry out patrols.Following the death of a llama at the park after swallowing a plastic bag, plastic materials have been banned inside the park premises. The members of the zoo club are 98 percent successful in controlling the entry of plastic materials inside the park. The zoo also plans to introduce "Friends of the Zoo" programme in line with the National Zoo Policy, prepared by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1998.
The park launched a zoo news letter in 2000 to serve as a source of current news and developments in the park. Efforts are being made to publish the news letter on regular intervals.
From 22nd to 24 September 2000, the park conducted a workshop for keeping and breeding amphibians in captivity for the first time in India.
The park, along with the Chennai Snake Park
Chennai Snake Park Trust
The Chennai Snake Park Trust is a not-for-profit NGO constituted in 1972 by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker and is India's first reptile park. Also known as the Guindy Snake Park, it is located next to the Children's Park in the Guindy National Park campus...
, Madras Crocodile Bank
Madras Crocodile Bank Trust
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology is a reptile zoo and herpetology research station, located south of the city of Chennai, in state of Tamil Nadu, India. The centre is both a registered trust and a recognized zoo under the Wildlife Act, 1972 and is India's leading...
and the Mysore Zoo
Mysore Zoo
Mysore Zoo is a zoo located near the palace in Mysore, India. It is one of the oldest and most popular zoos in Southern India, and is home to a wide range of species. Mysore Zoo is one of the city’s most popular attractions...
, is slated to become a nodal point for captive breeding of endangered pythons in the country, especially the Indian rock python (Python molurus) and reticulated python
Reticulated Python
Python reticulatus, also known as the reticulated python is a species of python found in Southeast Asia. Adults can grow to over 8.7 m in length but normally grow to an average of 3-6 m . They are the world's longest snakes and longest reptile, but are not the most heavily built...
(Python reticulatus).
In 2007, the zoo started to construct a separate breeding enclosure for the lion-tailed macaque, proposing to bring under Foreign Animal Exchange Programme. The enclosure was built at the cost of 1.6 million at a silent, remote place in the park to provide a natural habitat for the animals and to ensure breeding. The total enclosure measures about 3,000 sq. m, including three rooms with about 250 sq. ft. Three pairs of macaque could be kept in these rooms. The habitat is planted with fruit-bearing trees, including gooseberry
Gooseberry
The gooseberry or ; Ribes uva-crispa, syn. R. grossularia) is a species of Ribes, native to Europe, northwestern Africa and southwestern Asia...
and mangoes.
In July 2008, the world's first non-invasive
Invasiveness of surgical procedures
There are three main categories which describe the invasiveness of surgical procedures. These are: non-invasive procedures, minimally invasive procedures, and invasive procedures ....
birth control
Birth control
Birth control is an umbrella term for several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include contraception , contragestion and abortion...
surgery on mugger crocodiles was performed in the park by the surgeons of the Madras Veterinary College
Madras Veterinary College
The Madras Veterinary College is a veterinary college situated in Vepery, Chennai, India. The college was established on October 1, 1903, in a small building known as Doblin Hall....
to control breeding and inbreeding.
In September 2008, the park initiated Adopt An Animal, an animal adoptation programme, which has seen a few takers so far in the state, with less than 20 sponsors, mostly individuals and companies, coming forward. The first adoptation began with adopting a spotted deer, a peacock, two lovebirds and a parrot in June 2009. The park has received money to a tune of 2.3 million from individuals and organisations for adopting animals between August 2010 and March 2011.
The park has developed an informative and illustrative guide in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmadabad
Ahmadabad
Ahmadabad may refer to:Afghanistan* Ahmad Abad, Afghanistan, a place in AfghanistanAzerbaijan*Əhmədabad, Goranboy, Azerbaijan*Əhmədabad, Sabirabad, Azerbaijan*Əhmədabad, Tovuz, AzerbaijanIndia* Ahmedabad , a major city in India...
, providing zoo ethics and comprehensive information including road map to the animal enclosures and visitor amenities.
Animal care
Owing to its vastness and round-the-clock availability of animal medical care facilities, most of the rescued animals in the state, especially elephants, are brought to the park. Environment enrichment, psychological well-being and animal husbandry and veterinary care were the three important captive management practices that contributed to the longevity of animals. There has been a considerable reduction in the mortality rate of animals in captivity at the park. Between April 2010 and March 2011, only 22 animals were reported dead, of which 9 died due to old age and the remaining owing to other health-related problems and infighting. Incidents of infighting, although rare, have been reported in the park.With the guidance provided by the Central Zoo Authority of India, kraals—fencing of a portion of the moated enclosure—were created in the herbivore enclosures in 2003 in order to isolate and treat sick or wounded animal. Herbivores with physical problems are isolated in the facility to be checked by the vets. One of the corners of the enclosure is chosen mainly to keep visitors away from the treated animals. Kraals have been created in the enclosures of spotted deer, blackbuck, sambar, nilghai, barking deer, hog deer, brow-antlered deer, moufflon and bison. To make the animals get accustomed to the kraal, the feed is kept inside the premises. Apart from treating animals, the kraal also acts as a place for isolating animals in rut. For example, during mating season, males often fight with each other leading to problems for the veterinarians. To overcome this, the males are kept in kraals in isolation from other males. Kraals also help research scholars in observing and recording the movement and other activities of the animal, thus helping with studying their behavioural pattern.
With the banning of training and exhibition of five species of animals, namely, lion
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
, tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
, panther
Panthera
Panthera is a genus of the family Felidae , which contains four well-known living species: the tiger, the lion, the jaguar, and the leopard. The genus comprises about half of the Pantherinae subfamily, the big cats...
, bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
and monkey
Monkey
A monkey is a primate, either an Old World monkey or a New World monkey. There are about 260 known living species of monkey. Many are arboreal, although there are species that live primarily on the ground, such as baboons. Monkeys are generally considered to be intelligent. Unlike apes, monkeys...
enforced by the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
in 1998, a 92.45 hectares (228.4 acre) rescue and rehabilitation centre for animals was established next to the zoo with the assistance of the Central Zoo Authority in 2001. The area was acquired from the research wing of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department in continuity with the fodder bank of the zoo with an assistance of 14.598 million. The centre provides temporary and long-term care for confiscated and abandoned endangered animals, such as lions and tigers rescued from circuses, and is home to about 32 lions and 7 tigers. It has a capacity to house 40 lions and 20 tigers. It also has a reptile house and an aviary. The park is one of the five zoos in the country identified and funded by the Central Zoo Authority for the rehabilitation of circus animals. The rehabilitation centre is not open to the visitors.
Zoo veterinary hospital
The zoo veterinary hospital is responsible for disease prevention and health care management of the park's captive population. The hospital has a well-equipped operation theatre, in-patient ward, radiology unit, laboratory, clinical room, pathology room, quarantine facilities and convalescent yard fully functional to cater the needs of complete animal health care. It also includes a modern diagnostic laboratory with facility for periodic coprological examination, identification of causative organism, antiobiotic, sensitivity, pregnancy diagnosis, hematology, serology and urinalysis.
Conservation
The zoo requires about 200000 litre of water per day for drinking, bathing animals, cleaning enclosures, and keeping the areas around them cool, much of which comes from the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board
Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board
Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board is a public agency formed by the Government of Tamil Nadu, assigned with task of providing water supply and sewerage facilities to the state of Tamil Nadu . It was formed on April 14, 1971.-External links:*...
(TWAD). The remainder comes from 13 open wells
Water well
A water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling to access groundwater in underground aquifers. The well water is drawn by an electric submersible pump, a trash pump, a vertical turbine pump, a handpump or a mechanical pump...
, 5 borewells and the Otteri lake at the zoo. The zoo plans to set up rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the aquifer. It has been used to provide drinking water, water for livestock, water for irrigation, as well as other typical uses. Rainwater collected from the roofs of houses and local institutions can...
systems, including small bunds and check dams, to store water during the monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
that would otherwise be lost. Three troughs and a checkdam have already been constructed in the safari to help store the natural runoff from the nearby hillock.
To save power and increase safety, 14 enclosures at the park now have solar powered lights at a cost of 200,000. The lion safari (old and new) and enclosures for white tigers, panthers, bears, hyenas, chimpanzee, a pair of lions, jackal, wild dog, owl, sloth bear, and brown bear are now lit by solar power for about three hours each evening. Each system includes a solar panel and a 250 kv battery connected to a 33-volt bulb, and can supply power for up to 8 hours.
Heat management
The soaring temperature in Chennai, especially during summer, demands extra care for residents of the zoo and the park maintains an exclusive summer management schedule. All animal enclosures have thatched roofs and fresh river sand spread on the floor to make them cooler for the animals. Water is sprinkled on the sand to provide extra cooling. Caves that are exposed directly to the sun are put under a shower twice a day. The enclosure for the king cobra
King Cobra
The king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.6 m . This species, which preys chiefly on other snakes, is found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia...
has an air conditioner because the species cannot stand the summer heat. For birds, the topmost part of the cage is covered with jute bags and water is sprinkled three times a day. Based on the temperature, cucumber, buttermilk, apple and banana are also served to herbivores. In 2011, to increase the green cover, the Forest Department planned to plant 25,000 saplings in the zoo.
Incidents
In January 2002, when a pantherPanther
-Large cats:* Panthera, the feline genus which contains lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars* Panther , the leopard * Panther , the cougar or mountain lion...
from the Vandalur reserve forest entered into the zoo premises, the zoo was closed over 45 days to facilitate search for the animal. After several attempts, the animal was finally trapped, and it was named after the zoo keeper, Arumugam, who first noticed the feline in the trap cage and alerted his superiors.
On 12 November 2007, a 13-ft long reticulated python
Reticulated Python
Python reticulatus, also known as the reticulated python is a species of python found in Southeast Asia. Adults can grow to over 8.7 m in length but normally grow to an average of 3-6 m . They are the world's longest snakes and longest reptile, but are not the most heavily built...
was found in a ventilator inside the pygmy hippopotamus
Pygmy Hippopotamus
The pygmy hippopotamus is a large mammal native to the forests and swamps of western Africa . The pygmy hippo is reclusive and nocturnal...
enclosure in the zoo. One of the zoo officials said the rescued python could have escaped from its enclosure, when it was young, 4 to 5 years ago. When the workers were trying to take the reptile, it bit one of the animal keepers, but since it was a non-poisonous one, the animal keeper was provided treatment for the injury. The reptile was feeding on small mammals, roaming freely inside the zoo, which helped it survive without any problem.
On the night of 10 July 2010, three sand boas (Eryx johnii), out of five in the enclosure, were reported stolen from the zoo.
The future
For the first time since the shifting of the zoo from Park Town in 1979, the park is undergoing a major renovation costing 32.5 million, which is expected to be completed by the end of September 2011. The project includes creating huge lawns covering nearly 300 metres on both sides of the entrance, colourful murals on high-rise compound walls, tiled floors, an interpretation centre, similar to the one at the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary, with LED displays at the entrance and a souvenir shop selling memorabilia like T-shirts and artefacts showcasing the flora and fauna of the sub-continent. The project also involves construction of additional 20 computerised ticket counters to handle huge crowds.
See also
- Flora and fauna of ChennaiFlora and fauna of Chennai-Beaches: The Marina Beach is the country's longest urban beach, and its 13-km length is often subdivided into more manageable units. The northern part of the beach is simply known as the Marina and is followed by the Santhome beach, which lies north of the Adyar river estuary...
- Guindy National ParkGuindy National ParkGuindy National Park is a Protected area of Tamil Nadu, located in Chennai, South India, is the 8th smallest National Park of India and one of the very few national parks situated inside a city. The park is an extension of the grounds surrounding Raj Bhavan, formerly known as the 'Guindy Lodge',...
- Chennai Snake ParkChennai Snake Park TrustThe Chennai Snake Park Trust is a not-for-profit NGO constituted in 1972 by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker and is India's first reptile park. Also known as the Guindy Snake Park, it is located next to the Children's Park in the Guindy National Park campus...
- Madras Crocodile BankMadras Crocodile Bank TrustThe Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology is a reptile zoo and herpetology research station, located south of the city of Chennai, in state of Tamil Nadu, India. The centre is both a registered trust and a recognized zoo under the Wildlife Act, 1972 and is India's leading...
- Vedanthangal Bird SanctuaryVedanthangal Bird SanctuaryVedanthankal Lake Bird Sanctuary is a sanctuary located in the Kancheepuram District of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The sanctuary is about from Chennai on National Highway 45 south of Chengalpattu....
- Pulicat Lake Bird SanctuaryPulicat Lake Bird SanctuaryPulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary is a famous 481 km² Protected area in Thiruvallur District of Tamil Nadu state near Elavur and Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh in South India. Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish-water eco-system in India after Chilka lake in Orissa...