Nehru Zoological Park

Nehru Zoological Park
Nehru Zoological Park
	17°21′04″N 78°26′59″E / 17.35111°N 78.44972°E
Date opened	26 October 1959 (65 years ago)
Location	Hyderabad, Telangana, IN
Land area	380 acres (153.8 ha)
No. of species	192
Volume of largest tank	600-acre (240 ha)
Memberships	Central Zoo Authority of India
Owner	Ministry of State for Forest and Environment, Telangana
Website	https://nzptsfd.telangana.gov.in/

Nehru Zoological Park (also known as Zoo Park) is a zoo located near Mir Alam Tank in Bahadurpura, Telangana, India. It is one of the most visited destinations in Hyderabad.^[3]

History

Nehru Zoological Park's construction was started on 26 October 1959 and opened to the public on 6 October 1963. The Park is run by forest department, Government of Telangana, and is named after the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Animals and exhibits

The zoo occupies 380 acres (150 ha) and is adjacent to the 600-acre (240 ha) Mir Alam Tank. Nearly 100 species of birds, animals and reptiles are housed at the zoo, including indigenous animals like the:

as well as

The 600-acre (240 ha) Mir Alam Tank with its unique multiple arched bund (embankment), attracts hundreds of migratory birds, providing yet another attraction for the zoo.^[4]

The nocturnal house at the zoo artificially reverses night and day for the animals so that nocturnal animals are active while visitors are at the zoo. This exhibit includes:

There is also an:

aquarium,
dino park,
butterfly park and
tortoise house.

Since 2014, the zoo is running an adoption program under which people and corporates can adopt an animal or an entire enclosure, paying money for their upkeep.^[5]

Attractions

The zoo runs multiple safari trips each day through the safari area where animals such as:

etc. are housed. The zoo also has special educational shows and feeding sessions scheduled each day. Other attractions include a natural history museum and some trains.^[6]

Conservation

Several animals have been bred in the zoo and sent to various deer parks and sanctuaries all over India to restock depleted natural populations. In order to boost captive breeding of vultures at the zoo, the state forest dept requested Maharashtra for 10 of these critically endangered birds.^[7]