The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo (also known as Trivandrum Zoo) is located in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, India. Maharaja Swati Thirunal, the erstwhile maharaja of Travancore established the zoo in 1857. The zoo stretches for over 55 acres of woodland with lakes and lawns. It is the oldest zoo in Asia.
Home to about over 100 species of indigenous and exotic animals from across the globe, the zoo includes native species like the lion-tailed macaque, Indian rhinoceros, Nilgiri langur, royal Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion and leopard, along with nine Asian elephants. Some animals like giraffes, zebras, hippos, and Cape buffaloes are even brought from Africa to the zoo. There is also a snake farm in the zoo showcasing both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. The number of species of flora in the entire botanical garden is much higher. The zoo is an ideal "fun with nature" visit.
Thiruvananthapuram Zoo is situated right in the heart of the Thiruvananthapuram city, near the zoological park. It is about 6 kms from the city centre and can be easily reached by a hired car, taxi, bus or auto-rickshaw. The closest railway station is Thiruvananthapuram Central, which is 2 kms away.
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The Thiruvananthapuram Museum and Zoo is a must-visit, especially if you have kids. The Museums at the place are really good and they are something the adults will find interesting. The zoo covers a vast area but you don't have to worry because you can take an electric minivan offered at the zoo and see around the place quite easily.
The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo (also known as Trivandrum Zoo) is located in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, India. Maharaja Swati Thirunal, the erstwhile maharaja of Travancore established the zoo in 1857. The zoo stretches for over 55 acres of woodland, with lakes, and lawns. It is the oldest zoo in Asia.
Home to about over 100 species of indigenous and exotic animals from across the globe, the zoo includes native species like the lion-tailed macaque, Indian rhinoceros, Nilgiri langur, royal Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, and leopard, along with nine Asian elephants. Some animals like giraffes, zebras, hippos, and Cape buffaloes are even brought from Africa to the zoo. There is also a snake farm in the zoo showcasing both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. The number of species of flora in the entire botanical garden is much higher. The zoo is an ideal "fun with nature" visit.
The snake house at the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo is home to creatures such as the slender lorris, jungles cats and porcupines. A reptile house and an open enclosure for the panther are also being added to the zoo premises. The entrance to the snake house resembles the head of the snake as the overall structure resembles the undulating body of a snake in motion. The speciality of the snake house is that each of these cubicles has a `micro-climate' designed to simulate the natural habitat of each variety of snake. The exit point of the snake house serves as the entrance to the rest of the reptile house that houses the crocodiles, turtles and the monitor lizard. The Botanical Garden, also within the zoo premises, has varied specimens of tropical plants and trees.
This Museum was open to the public in September 1857. But the Museum by itself could not attract the people much, and therefore a Zoo and a Park known as public gardens were started in 1859. By 1880, a new building designed by Robert Chisholm, Architect to the Governor of Madras, was constructed and the Museum was shifted to the present architectural beauty.
The zoo was at first made with the archetypal iron-barred enclosures and was primarily planned for creating something for leisure but with the increased deforestation and effect on wildlife due to human encroachments, the goal of the Zoo changed from amusement to protection of the flora and fauna of the area.
The zoo is open from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Wednesdays. It is closed on Mondays
