Marble Palace Zoo, Private zoo at Marble Palace in Kolkata, India.

Marble Palace Zoo, locally called Nilmani Niketan, occupies a 0.12-hectare precinct immediately west of the Marble Palace courtyard at 46 Muktaram Babu Street. A 1.5-metre wrought-iron fence on a dressed-stone base encloses five aviary pavilions of 50 to 150 square metres, home to hyacinth macaws, hornbills and magpies, plus two paddocks with porcupines, barking deer and baboons. Terracotta-tiled shade pavilions and paths echo the palace's Neo-Classical courtyard.

Raja Rajendra Mullick established the menagerie in 1835 as part of his Marble Palace estate at 46 Muktaram Babu Street, opening it to the public as India's first private zoo. A noted art collector and botanist, he stocked it with herbivorous mammals and exotic birds in keeping with his vegetarian principles. Over the 20th century the collection was gradually reduced, and the site now works mainly as an aviary and small-animal garden beside the palace museum.

Locals call the zoo Nilmani Niketan. Raja Rajendra Mullick stocked it only with herbivorous mammals and exotic birds, in keeping with his vegetarian principles. The aviary still holds peacocks, toucans, storks and cranes, and the zoo is entered by permit through the West Bengal Tourism Information Bureau.

Access to the zoo requires advance written permission from the West Bengal Tourism Office before your visit. Plan ahead and make arrangements early, as entry is controlled and visitors must coordinate with the site administrators.

The zoo is locally known as Nilmani Niketan. Raja Rajendra Mullick stocked it only with herbivorous mammals and exotic birds, in keeping with his vegetarian principles. Its 0.12-hectare precinct lies immediately west of the palace's main courtyard, behind a 1.5-metre wrought-iron fence on a dressed-stone base.