subject: Trivandrum Zoo, India [print this page] If you are a first-time visitor to Trivandrum, then you should surely take a trip to the Zoological Park! Situated in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city, the Trivandrum Zoo holds the reputation as one of the oldest in the country and one among the well-designed zoos in Asia. In 1857, the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo was established as an annex to the Napier Museum by the erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore with the intention to attract more tourists or visitors.
The Trivandrum Zoo was founded with the main objective of conserving endangered animals and birds which are fast losing their habitats owing to the increasing deforestation and rapid industrialization. The Central Zoo Authority, established in 1992 under the Ministry of Environment and Forests of India, has prescribed a uniform management code for all the Zoos in the country and offers financial as well as technical support for them.
The Trivandrum Zoo, spread over a vast 55-acres of land, is home to 75 species of animals from around the world. The Zoo hosts different species of animals and birds from Ethiopian and Australian Zoo geographic regions. The Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Indian Rhino, Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger and Leopard are among the most important indigenous endangered fauna. The animals from the African region basically include Giraffe, Hippo, Zebra and Cape Buffalo.
Considered as one of the first zoos in India, the Trivandrum Zoo is located in a well-planned and beautiful botanical garden. Its massive, sprawling lawns are fringed with trees like frangipani and jacaranda. One can also come across wild fowl swimming in the lakes. Take a leisurely stroll through the awesome Botanical Gardens to know about the native flora in Kerala.
A trip to the Zoo is like taking an adventurous tour through a jungle in the heart of the city. A reptile house, with various species of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, is also located in the premises. The recently-opened snake house ranks as one of the best in the world. The Zoo is undoubtedly a big attraction for children and the Zoological Garden makes for a perfect tourist destination!
