India has a rich tradition of wildlife conservation and operates several world-class zoological parks aimed at protecting endangered species and educating the public.
By total land area, the biggest zoo in India is the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, which is most commonly known as the Vandalur Zoo.
Biggest Zoo: Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur Zoo).
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Total Area: 1,490 acres.
Opened: 1985 (shifted from the original 1855 Madras Zoo).
Concept: Open zoo with massive natural habitats.
The Arignar Anna Zoological Park is located in Vandalur, a suburb in the southwestern part of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is an absolute giant. Spread over an astonishing 1,490 acres (over 600 hectares) of reserve forest, it is not only the largest zoo in India but also one of the largest open-concept zoological parks in all of South East Asia. Because of its massive size, visitors often rent bicycles or take battery-operated buggies to explore the park.
The zoo has a deep history. It is actually the successor to the Madras Zoo, which was established back in 1855, making it the very first public zoo in India. Because the old zoo in the city center became too crowded, the animals were shifted to the massive new Vandalur forest site, which officially opened to the public in 1985.
Vandalur Zoo is home to over 2,500 animals representing nearly 170 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is designed around an 'open zoo' concept, meaning animals are kept in massive, naturalistic enclosures resembling their wild habitats rather than tight iron cages. The zoo is highly famous for its successful captive breeding programs for the endangered Lion-tailed Macaque, the Royal Bengal Tiger, and the Indian Star Tortoise.
The biggest zoo in India is the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, widely known as Vandalur Zoo.
Vandalur Zoo is located in the city of Chennai, in the state of Tamil Nadu.
The very first zoo in India was the Madras Zoo, established in 1855. Its animals were later moved to create the current Vandalur Zoo.
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