Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Zoo near the Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal in Visakhapatnam, India
The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park sits within the Kambalakonda Reserve Forest and covers 625 acres with natural habitats for around 850 animals of 75 species. The facility follows the hill topography and connects forest paths with enclosures that mimic the native habitat of the residents.
Construction began in 1972 following the Wildlife Protection Act and the grounds opened to the public on 19 May 1977. In the following decades the area expanded and received international recognition for its breeding successes in 2022.
The park was named after the former Prime Minister and helps introduce local wildlife to schoolchildren and families along the eastern coast. Many groups from the city come here on weekends to visit the enclosures and join guided tours.
The grounds are open Tuesday through Sunday during daylight hours and the paths lead through hilly forest terrain with some steep sections. Sturdy footwear and plenty of water are advisable as the rounds can take several hours.
The facility was accredited by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums in February 2022 for its successful dhole breeding program. These wild dogs from Asia have become rare in the wild and are kept here under conditions that resemble their natural pack life.
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