Home > Tamil Nadu > Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai

Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai

Arignar Anna Zoological Park is situated in Vendalur, around 31 km from the city of Chennai. This park basks in the glory of being the first ever public zoo in India, with its inception in the year 1855. This extensive park houses hundreds of species of animals including mammals, reptiles, birds, fishes, amphibians and insects. Laced with amazing and rare species of wildlife, the park’s motto is educating public and conserving the animal species that are on the brink of extinction.

This zoological park in Chennai strives to carry out off-site conservation of endangered species as a bid to counter extinction. It has a varied ecosystem, which allows the fauna to roam around comfortably in safe and protected environment. Through public education they seek to arouse empathy in them towards the wildlife in general. It has a record breaking footfall of more than 60,000 visitors on the Kannum Pongal day, in the year 2012.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park History

With the initiative of Dr. Edward Balfour, a small zoo was made out of the donated animals received from the Nawab of the Carnatic in 1854. Noticing a huge footfall that turned up to see the animals, it was moved to the People’s Park where it remained for a long time it plans were made to relocate it to the outskirts of the city. It was finally shifted to the natural retreats of the Vandalur Reserve Forest which opened its doors to the public in 1985.

Picture 1 - Arignar Anna Zoological Park Entrance

Arignar Anna Zoological Park Location

It is located amidst lush greens in the southwest regions of Chennai, at Vandalur. It lies on the Chennai-Tiruchi Highway, which is also popular as the GST Road.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park Area

602 hectares of sprawling greens comprise the zoo which dedicates almost 93 acres for the rehabilitation of wild animals.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park Direction

The zoo is just a few kilometers from the city’s airport and metropolitan area. You can avail the public buses which run every day from the city to the park. Opting for the railways is another convenient option as the station is just a kilometer away from the park’s main entrance. If you are traveling by air, the nearest airport is Meenambakkam.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park Exhibits

Within the park’s periphery, more than 80 enclosures exist which is inhabited by birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians in species above 170. Huge revenue is generated by these exhibits which include safaris, butterfly house, sanctuary aviaries, aviary walks, reptile house, amphibian house, crocodile enclosure, primate house, mammal house, aquarium etc. Some of the exhibits in this zoological park include blackbucks, barking deer, wolves, leaf-capped langur, sambar, sangai, jackal, hyena, lion, Hanuman langur, giraffe, nilgai, tiger, jaguar, barking deer, hog deer, panther, camel, otter, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, llama, elephant, baboon etc.

It also houses many endangered and rare species of chimpanzee, monitor lizards, Nilgiri macaques, Bengal tiger, lemur, vulture, white tiger, star tortoises, Muscovy duck etc. To see some of the exotic species like cassowary and emu, you will have to come to this Chennai zoo. Not just rare and exotic fauna, it abounds in more than thousands of flora spread over the zoo.

One of the major objectives of the park is breeding some rare species like Asian palm civet, wild dog, Asiatic Wolf, bison, hippo, Malabar giant squirrel and ostrich apart from a host of others. Among the park’s many conservational efforts cross breeding is also included.

Picture 2 - Arignar Anna Zoological Park Photo

Safari: In the park’s hilly terrains, safari parks have been created where animals roam free and safaris comprise a ride through the area where you can watch them loitering in the wilderness. You can avail the night safari, elephant or gaur safari for a thrilling experience in the woods.

Butterfly house: Common Mormon, crimson rose, evening brown, mottled emigrant are just some of the many species of butterflies that get drawn to the diverse plant habitat in this butterfly house. It is a colorful treat vested in the huge 5 acres of land of the zoo. Ponds, waterfalls, streams and rock gardens that surround this place make it more attractive and serene.

Terrestrial Aviary: Cozily nestled on a slope is the 1.5 acre big aviary, through which you can walk amidst hundreds of birds of various species. This terrestrial aviary houses birds ranging from kingfishers, red-whiskered bulbuls, partridges, common myna, white-browed bulbul to pheasants, peacocks, blue rock pigeons and quails. To bring the effect of open sky, it is covered by blue and steel nylon net.

Sanctuary Aviaries: Watch gorgeous flamingos and seagulls dive and swim in the water bodies in the zoo’s aviary, all through the year. The aviaries are a unique mix of vegetation and water sources which provides an ideal setting for painted storks, white ibis, grey heron along with some others to inhabit.

Amphibian house: This exhibit is the first to keep amphibians as display in captivity. Common Indian toad (Bufo melanasticus), Indian tree frog (Polypedates maculatus), Indian cricket frog (Limnonectus limnocharis), Indian pond frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) and Indian bull frog (Rana tigirina) are some of the local species of amphibians that are displayed here.

Serpentarium: Modeled like a snake, this reptile house comprises different varieties of poisonous and non poisonous snakes. Tourists flock to this reptile house to take a peek at the King cobra, one of the major attractions in the park. These creatures are kept in scientifically controlled environments to ensure their complete wellbeing.

Crocodile enclosure: This is the abode of the laidback crocodiles of numerous species including marsh crocodile, American spectacled caiman and salt water crocodile. It houses seven of the eight major species of crocodiles from different parts of the world.

Primate House: Almost 26 % of the entire population of lion-tailed macaques has been bred under the Captive Breeding Program at this park. Endangered species of primates at this section include Nilgiri langur, chimpanzee and capped langur apart from the lion tailed macaque.

Small Mammals House: It is the park’s latest addition comprising creatures like Malayan giant squirrel and grizzled giant squirrel. It also has several species from the Western Ghats.

Nocturnal Section: Around 6 species of nocturnal animals are housed in here but their biological pattern has been altered to make them active during the day and sleep at nights.

Aquarium: Visitors, especially kids get amused by this aquarium modeled like a shark, containing more than 30 species of freshwater fishes.

Apart from these exhibits, you have many more sections to visit in the zoo. Prehistoric Animal Park, zoo school, children’s park, insectariums, interpretation center etc are places that interest the visitors.

Picture 3 - Arignar Anna Zoological Park Image

Arignar Anna Zoological Park Education

As a part of the initiatives taken by the zoo for conservation and rehabilitation of animals, a number of educational and awareness programs are held for teachers and students. Two of the zoo outreach and teacher training programs for are:

Zoo Club Volunteer Programme
Animal Keepers Training Programme

Arignar Anna Zoological Park Activities

A list of activities is undertaken by the Zoo Club formed with a host of college students who strive to maintain cleaner premises.

It regularly hosts workshops for addressing several issues.
Regular newsletters are published to express developmental tasks in the zoo.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park Other Facilities

A host of facilities has been provided for the comfort and convinience of the travelers.

To make your trip to the park comfortable, a number of battery operated vehicles have been stationed here which can be availed if you are not willing to walk through the vast expanse of the park.
For satiating your craving for food, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation has set up numerous snack bars where you can freshen up.
There are plenty of well-maintained restrooms for the comfort of the travelers.
The environment is secure as it has several patrolling security services officers.

Picture 4 - Arignar Anna Zoological Park

Arignar Anna Zoological Park Conservation and Rehabilitation

Rescue and Rehabilitation Center at the zoo aims at caring for the endangered and rare species of animals, both short term as well as long term.

For the inmates in captivity, the zoo veterinary hospital is well equipped to respond to any sort of medical emergency.
The zoo has undertaken several measures to manage power, heat as well as water for the entire zoo. Energy efficient means have been adopted to save energy.

If you are planning for a weekend getaway or your next big holiday, a trip to this enormous zoological park can feature on your list. Take a look at some of the rare and exotic members of deep forests that will amaze you with their antiques for sure.