Zoological Garden

Zoological Garden

A trip to any place, especially when you're travelling with children, is never quite over without a trip to the Zoo. If Thiruvananthapuram is where you?re headed this vacation with kids in tow, a stop at the Zoological Garden is sure to be a treat! One of the first in India, Thiruvananthapuram's zoo is located in a well-planned botanical garden. It was established as an annexe to the Napier Museum in 1857 by the then Maharaja of Travancore in order to attract more visitors. While originally established for recreational purposes, the increase in the loss of forest and wildlife changed the goal of the Zoo from recreation to conservation. Spread over 55 acres of land, the Zoo offers an opportunity for visitors to escape the muddles of city life and experience panoramic sylvan surroundings besides vivid animal collections. The Zoo has 75 different species of animals from India and all over the world. It also has several species of animals and birds from Ethiopian and Australian Zoo geographic regions. The Lion tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr, Indian Rhino, Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger are prominent among the indigenous endangered fauna. Giraffe, Hippo, Zebra and Cape buffalo are the guests from African region. It will usher in a new era with the completion of the ongoing modernisation works in the Zoo. Thrilling encounters with the animals out in their open air landscapes are not too far. With huge trees like frangipani and jacaranda dotting the sprawling lawns and wild fowl swimming in the lake, it is like a small jungle in the heart of the city. A reptile house with different species of snakes is also located in the premises. Apart from being a conservation of endangered animals, the Zoo is a beautiful escape from the rush of daily life. Always a hit with the children, the Zoological Garden makes for an ideal tourist destination!