Thiruvananthapuram Zoo

Image Credits : gordontour, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo (also known as Trivandrum Zoo) is located in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, India.

History

Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, one of the oldest in the country, was established as an annexe to the Museum in 1857 by the erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore in order to attract more visitors. This Zoo was originally set up for recreational purpose only. But with more and more loss of forest and wildlife in the process of human development, the goal of the Zoo changed from recreation to conservation. Today Zoos are seen as the last resort for endangered animals and birds. The Central Zoo Authority established in 1992 under the Ministry of Environment and Forest of India, enforces uniform management code to all the Zoos in the country and provide financial and technical support for the Zoos.

Spread over in 55 acres of land located in the heart of the temple city of Thiruvananthapuram, the Zoo offers a rare opportunity for the visitors to experience and enjoy an unparalleled picturesque and panoramic sylvan surroundings besides vivid animal collections. The Zoo has around 75 different species of animals not only from India but from abroad also. It also has several species of animals and birds from Ethiopian and Australian Zoo geographic regions. The Lion tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Indian Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger are prominent among the indigenous endangered fauna. Giraffe, Hippo, Zebra, Cape Buffalo are the guests from African region. It will usher in a new era with the completion of the ongoing modernisation works in the Zoo. Thrilling encounters with the animals out in their open air landscapes are becoming reality.

Animals

The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo is home to 82 species from around the world. Indigenous species at the zoo include lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Indian rhinoceros, Asiatic lion, royal Bengal tiger, and leopard, as well a nine Asian elephants (as of March 31, 2009). Animals from Africa include giraffes, hippos, zebras, and Cape buffalos.

The zoo also includes a snake farm which exhibits both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes.

Birds

•    Indian Peafowl
•    White Spoonbill
•    Cassowary
•    Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
•    Common Crane
•    White Necked Crane
•    Black Necked CraneGrey Heron
•    White Ibis
•    Blossom Headed Parakeet
•    Roseringed Parakeet
•    Alexandrine Parakeet
•    Moutached Parakeet
•    Greay Pelican
•    Rosy Pelican
•    Silver Pheasant
•    Ring Necked Pheasant
•    Rock Dove
•    Adjutant Stork
•    Painted Stork
•    White Stork
•    White Necked Stork
•    Black Necked Stork
•    Cinerous Vulture
•    King Vulture
•    White Backed Vulture
•    Pariah Kite
•    Brahminy Kite
•    Emu

Reptiles

•    Gharial
•    Mugger Crocodile
•    Spectacled Caiman
•    Monitor Lizard
•    Bamboo Pit Viper
•    Indian Cobra
•    Indian Rock Python
•    Rat Snake
•    Russell’s Viper
•    Checkered keelback
•    King Cobra
•    Red Sandboa
•    Green Tree Snake
•    Indian Flapshell Turtle
•    Indian Black Turtle
•    Crowned River Turtle
•    Travancore Tortoise

Town:: The site can also be reached by taking buses to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Central Bus Station, which lies in its vicinity. • Trivandrum International Airport: 6.2 km • Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station: 3.3 km • KSRTC Central Bus Station: 3.3 km.
Airport:: To reach Thiruvananthapuram Zoo Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum, travellers can take a flight to the Trivandrum International Airport, which is situated at a 15-minute drive from the site.
Railway Station:: Those who prefer travelling by train can board one to the Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station, which is connected to important Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.
District:: Thiruvananthapuram
Longitude:: 8.502110
Latitude:: 76.958694