Sunday, January 4, 2015

Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneswar

Nandankanan Zoological Park at Bhubaneswar is a 400-hectare zoo and botanical garden. It was established in 1960, but was opened to the public only in 1979. In 2009 it has the distinction of being the first zoo in India to be part part of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). The botanical garden has been declared a sanctuary. 



The zoo was devastated by the cyclone that hit the coastal of Orissa in 1999. But thankfully in 2000 a major upgrade was done to it. The zoo is home to about 1660 individual animals representing 166 species, including 67 species of mammals, 81 species of birds, and 18 species of reptiles.



Endangered species such as the Asiatic lions, White Tigers, Black Panthers, Indian crocodiles, Sangal lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Indian pangolin, mouse deer and countless birds, reptiles and fish have been breeding successfully at Nandankanan.



The zoo also has a scheme where one can adopt an animal and promote the Zoo's operation. This unique program was started in 2008 to invite public participation in financing the zoo. It is just 20 kms away from the city of Bhubaneswar and the visiting Hours of park are:
  • April to September (07.30 hrs. to 17.30 hrs.)
  • October to March (08.00 hrs. to 17.00 hrs.)
  • And the park & garden remains closed on every Monday

35 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Great post on the Zoo, Rajesh! Love all the critters.. Have a happy new week!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

I enjoy the zoo and it looks as if you did as well. Lovely flowers too. The Owl is my favorite. Happy week~

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

The zoo made a remarkable recovery. It is great to see such support from the public.

Linda said...

Good luck to the zoo and animals! I hope they never get hit by a cyclone again.

Vineeta Yashsavi said...

Nice post...

Jeevan said...

Interesting to know about this zoo and its world status!

Donna said...

This sounds like a fabulous zoo Rajesh. It looks like a wildlife preserve and more natural in its habitats. The garden sounds lovely too and I like the adopt an animal idea.

Noel Morata said...

It is so good that these endangered species are still being bred successfully albeit a zoo which is good to know.

Anonymous said...

Such pretty shots.

A Colorful World said...

Looks like a great zoo! Some wonderful photos!

Carver said...

Great shots from the zoo.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Looks like a very nice zoo. Nice to see beautiful flowers in bloom as we have snow on the ground.

Anonymous said...

the flower looks so colorful and beautiful :)

Muza-chan said...

Cute :)

Leovi said...

Yes, wonderful pictures, I love wild animals !!

Reader Wil said...

Zoos are very important. As a three-year-old child my um took me to the zoo. My father took photos of us. I remember an elephant begging for food and my mum saying:"No, I am sorry I haven't got"anything!"The big animal trod away to a pool filled with dirty water. My mum said : "Look the dear elephant is going to drink.. "The beast turned around and came to us, lifted his trunk and spat all the dirty stinking water over us.Of course I didn't like it at all and started screaming! But this event didn't stop me from visiting other zoos.
Happy New Year!
Wil, ABCW Team.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Wonderful collection of animals from the Zoo.

bj said...

I love this post as I am a huge fan of ZOOS...just love them.

Roger Owen Green said...

I did a zoo, too. Think that'll be a popular topic!

ROG, ABCW

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful post and photos supporting the Zoo ~

namaste,
artmusedog and carol

HansHB said...

Beautiful serie, perfect for WBW!
Happy New Year to you!

mick said...

Great photos and a very interesting zoo. They are doing a great job.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Large array of wildlife. We have a much smaller wildlife park and zoo and I always enjoy a visit

Hildred said...

A great choice for Z and gorgeous pictures.

Photo Cache said...

I enjoy going to the zoo.

FRANKLY MY DEAR

Janice said...

Nice variety and good capture of the owl.

Al said...

That looks great, and conservation is so important.

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

Wonderful post and pics :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos. It's nice to know the zoo is having success in their breeding program.

Unknown said...

I love all the birds and the animals. Zoos do a lot of good work with endangered spieces.

Me Mumbaikar said...

Beautiful zoo!
Lovely capture of the animals and birds. I always feel the owl is photogenic and seems to pose for the camera ;-)

Sunita Sriram said...

Been there in the year 1995...before the cyclone ravaged the zoo..it was beautiful and the white tiger was a marvel!

Unknown said...

Its good that they are preserving the rich flora and fauna at Nandankanan. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Purba chakraborty said...

I have been to Nandankanan Zoological Park once. Wonderful pictures :)

Sri Kri said...

Thanks for taking us to the virtual tour.:)

Cheers,
Sriram & Krithiga