Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur Zoo)

Vandalur zoo – Arignar Anna Zoological Park

The Arignar Anna Zoological Park is(vandalur zoo) situated in Vandalur, Chennai of Tamil Nadu.  This Park is at a reachable distance from any part of Chennai which is nearer to the Chengalpattu District .

History

In the year 1854, then Director of the Government Central Museum in Madras gave a request to the Nawab of the Carnatic to contribute his collection of animals for the museum. This Zoo was built in 1855 was the first public Zoo of India, which got the affiliation from the Central Zoo Authority in India.  This Zoo at Chennai was the first Zoo in India which was open to the public in the year 1861.

Initially, Balfour began this Zoo on the fields of the Museum. After one year, there were more than 300 animals in the Zoo including all the birds, reptiles and the mammals. This is the largest zoological park in India and Asia. This is also one of the largest Zoos in the world. On 24th July 1985, then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.G.Ramachandran opened this Zoo to the public after the completion of all the works. It covers an area of 92.45hectares or 228.4 acres for the rescue and rehabilitation center.

Special things

Arignar Anna Zoological Park has a variety of flora and fauna under the maintenance of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Here there are many animals like Elephant, Lion, Himalayan Brown Bear, Tiger and Indian civit cat. It has 18 varieties of Tigers out of which 9 are white Tigers.

What are the things to see?

The various sections of this Park includes the Sanctuary aviaries, safaris, Butterfly house, reptile house, walk-through aviary, Crocodile enclosure, Amphibian house, primate house, small mammals, aquarium  and World of nocturnal animals.

Transport facilities

To reach this Arignar Anna Zoological Park, buses are available from all the parts of the Chennai. This Park in the south-western part of the Chennai Metropolitan area is exactly 4Km from Mudichur, 15Km from the Chennai Airport and 6Km from Tambaram. The Vandalur Railway station is at a distance of about 1Km from the main entrance from the Park.

What are the facilities available in Arignar Anna Zoological Park?

The drinking water facilities are available at every shorter distance inside the Zoo. In 2008, the beginning of a sample program of 20 rental bicycles for visitants including the 5 for children was made to minimize the need for the battery-operated cars. In addition to the 4 diesel-run road rails and 4 battery-operated vans for Lion safari, there are 9 more vehicles. In 2017, the Government gave the permission for two more vehicles. Then you are able to spend the whole day in the Zoo before the closing time.      

General rules and Restrictions (that may change over period)

• In Vandalur Zoo, strictly no outside food is permitted.
• Then rental bicycles are allowed for visitors in which they can ride themselves.
• Next the battery operated cars for available for the physically challenged and old-age people.
• Also restrooms are available for the visitors.

Entrance and other fees in Vandalur Zoo

Timings: 9.00a.m to 6.00p.m – Open except Tuesdays

 Days to visit: Wednesday to Monday (Closed on Tuesdays)

Total Area – The total area covered by the Arignar Anna Zoological Park is 602 hectares or 1490 acres.