Delhi Zoo

National Zoological Park, Delhi Overview

National Zoological Park, Delhi zoo founded in 1957 in New Delhi, India. Its facilities are funded and administered by the national government. More than 1,700 specimens representing at least 185 species are exhibited and bred in the 97-hectare (240-acre) park.

The collection includes good breeding groups of white tigers and brow-antlered deer. Many of the animals are displayed in barless, moated enclosures, while a colony of lion-tailed macaques is allowed to move freely about the premises.

History of Zoo in Delhi

The Park was formally inaugurated on 1st November 1959 by Mr. Punjab Rao Deshmukh, Hon'ble Minister of the Government of India and was initially known as Delhi Zoo. In the year 1982, it was given the status of the National Zoological Park with the idea of it being the model zoo of the country. The Indian Board for Wildlife felt the need to have a zoo in the national capital of the country to provide recreation to people at large. Accordingly, an ad-hoc committee of some prominent nature lovers of Delhi, including Indira Gandhi, was constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Commissioner to formulate a proposal for the establishment of Zoological Park for Delhi.

Animals in Delhi's Chidiya Ghar

As you enter the National Zoological Park, several fascinating creatures welcome you to their ways of life. Hippopotamus, Chimpanzee, Spider monkey, Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger, Brow Antlered Deer, Swamp Deer, Blackbuck, White buck, leopard, Chinkara, Deer Brow, Hoolock Gibbon, Lion Tailed Macaque, One-horned rhinoceros, Himalayan black bear, Indian Porcupine, jaguar, wild boar, Indian rhinoceros and zebra are found here among others.

A number of birds such as Great Indian Hornbill, peafowl, storks spoonbill and eagles can be found here as well. The center of the zoo has an underground reptile house which has different reptiles such as Indian star tortoise, Indian rock python, common rat snake, Indian cobra, Diadem snake and Indian sand boa is present here as well. By 2008 it had 1347 animals and 127 species.

Tips For Visiting National Zoological Park

• Do not feed the animals as overfeeding spoils their health.
• Do not tease the animals or cross the barriers. You can get seriously injured.
• Do not pluck the trees, flowers or damage the lawns.
• Do not play radio, tape recorder or musical instruments as animals do not like to be disturbed.
• Do not bring packets or polythene in the park.

How to reach & fare:

Nearest metro station is Pragati Maidan Metro Station (2 kms)

Opening Time:
1st April to 15th October: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
16th October to 31st March: 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed on Fridays and national holidays.

Entrance Fee:
Indians: Rs. 40 (Adults)
Rs. 20 (Children above 5 yrs.)

Foreigners: Rs. 200 (Adults)
Rs. 100 (Children above 5 yrs.)