National Zoological Park Delhi

1. About the National Zoological Park Delhi

Also known as the Zoological Garden or the Delhi Zoo, it is essentially 176 acres of fortified area that serves as a home to over 1000 animals and birds from around the world and a Kos Minar from the Mughal period. The history of the National Zoological Park, Delhi (now New Delhi), dates back to the year 1952 when the Indian Board of Wildlife created a committee to look into the creation of the park. Carl Hagenbeck, the owner of the famous Hamburg Animal Park in West Germany, was hired to design and plan the zoological park. He came up with the idea of moat enclosures and presented a preliminary plan of the zoo, including waterways, walking trails, and sewage systems that got approved by the Indian Government in 1956. After three years of hard work and dedication, the park was inaugurated on November 1, 1959, as the Delhi Zoo. However, it was renamed the National Zoological Park by the then Indian Government, promoting it as an inspiration for other Zoological parks of the country.

Since then, this National Zoological Park has been a famous picnic spot in Delhi among people of all age groups. Furthermore, its unique collection of plants, birds, and animal species attract wildlife and nature lovers from all over the world.

Besides being a famous attraction, this National Zoology Park in Delhi is also a part of the conservation breeding program that is regulated by the Central Zoo Authority. The program involves the conservation of the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer, Asiatic Lion, Brow Antlered Deer, and the Red Jungle Fowl.

2. Flora and Fauna at the National Zoological Park, Delhi

Delhi’s National Zoological Park offers an enriched environment for animal and bird species to thrive. At the same time, it also plays an important role in the conservation of endangered species and reduces man-animal conflicts in urban areas. Here you can find many birds, mammals, reptiles, and other animals living in an environment that is close to their natural habitat. Some of the special attractions of this National Zoology Park in Delhi include White Tiger, Gaur, Jaguar, Rhinoceros, Elephants, Brow-Antlered Deer (Sangai), Lion Tailed Macaque, along with migratory birds, and other animals. Additionally, the lush greenery of the park is supported by over 100 varieties of trees and plants, some of them having medicinal value.

3. National Zoological Park, Delhi Timings and Entry Fee

The National Zoological Park is generally open for visitors from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm in summers and 0:30 am to 4:00 pm in winters, i.e. 1st April to 15th October and 16th October to 31st March, respectively.

5.1 Mammals

Black Buck, White Buck, Leopard, Chinkara, Chowsingha, Brow-Antlered Deer, Swamp Deer, Asiatic Elephant, Gibbon Hoolock, Panther, Lion, Single Horn Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Wolf, Indian Bison, Sloth, Hog Deer, and Lion-tailed Macaque, Jackal, Langur, Himalayan Black Bear, Chimpanzee, and Barking Deer, among other rare and common mammals, can be spotted at the zoo.

5.2 Birds

Birdwatchers and wildlife photographers can spot a variety of rare and commonly found birds, including Grey Hornbill, Great Indian Hornbill, Peafowl, Pheasant Kalij, Spoonbill, Vulture, Ibis, Heron, Jungle Fowl, Kite, Munai, Owl, Parakeet, Pelican, Stork, Cockatiel, Macaw, Emu, Finch, among many others.

5.3 Reptiles

The zoo also has a variety of this creepy yet beautiful species of animal, including snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and turtles namely Boa Johns, Diadem, Sand Boa, Cobra, Monitor Lizard, Python, Checkered Keelback, Rat Snake, among others.

5.4 Exotic species

White Tiger, Hamdrayas Baboon, African Rhino, Japanese Brown Bear, Eland, Cape Buffalo, WaterBuck, among other rarely found animals are bred in the park.

5.5 Free-Ranging Animals

Reptiles like Snakes, Common Krait & Monitor Lizard, and mammals like Palm Civet, Porcupine, Mongoose & Squirrels can be found strolling on the paths of the park.

5.6 Plants

The zoological park is not only known for its wide range of animal species but also for a collection of 123 plant species, some of which are known for their medicinal value. The list includes Black Babool. Red Sandal Tree, Queensland Kauri, East Indian Walnut, Red Silk Cotton, Neem, Chinese Fan Palm, Kadam, Silver Oak, Teak, and many more.

6. Facilities for Visitors at The Zoological Park

As per the official website of the National Zoological Park, New Delhi, as many as 27 lakh people annually visit the place (pre-COVID-19 pandemic). Hence, the zoo authorities have arranged for the following facilities to ensure that the visitors have a joyful experience.