Central Zoo

Central Zoo
Date opened 1932 (private zoo)
1956 (opened to public)[1]
Location Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, Nepal
Coordinates 27°40′23″N 85°18′39″E / 27.6731849°N 85.3109334°E / 27.6731849; 85.3109334Coordinates: 27°40′23″N 85°18′39″E / 27.6731849°N 85.3109334°E / 27.6731849; 85.3109334
No. of animals 870[2]
No. of species 109[2]
Annual visitors 1,000,000[2]
Website www.centralzoo.info

The Central Zoo is a 6-hectare (15-acre) zoo in Jawalakhel, Nepal. It is home to some 870 animals in 109 species, and is operated by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). Although it was originally a private zoo, it was opened to the public in 1956.

During the Bhoto Jatra festival, celebrated near the zoo, the zoo may see upwards of 34,000 visitors in a single day after they come to see a historical jeweled vest at the culmination of the Rato Machchhindranath jatra.[3][4]

History

The Central Zoo was established in 1932 by Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumser as a private zoo, and came under government control in 1950.[5] It was opened to the public in 1956,[1] and in December 1995, the government handed over responsibility of the zoo to the National Trust for Nature Conservation.[2] Although work is not complete, the NTNC has been upgrading the facilities so that animals can live in larger enclosures that simulate their natural environment. It is also working towards turning the zoo into a research and educational facility, as well as remaining a tourist attraction.[1]

The central pond at the zoo was built during the rule of King Siddhi Narsingh Malla, and at one time was the source of water for Patan.[3]

Animals

The zoo is home to about 870 animals in 109 species,[2] including 15 of 38 endangered local species including Royal Bengal tigers and One-horned rhinoceros, as well as many animals from around the world including hippos, siamang, ostriches, and many birds.[3][5] It also includes an aquarium for subtropical fish.[2]

Mammals at the zoo include Asian elephant, Assam macaque, Rhesus macaque, Spotted deer, Sambar deer, Four-horned antelope, wild boar, Sloth bear, Common leopard, Masked palm civet, Large Indian civet, Red panda, barking deer, blackbuck, blue bull, common langur, clouded leopard, Indian crested porcupine, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan blue sheep, hippopotamus, jackal, jungle cat, leopard cat, Indian rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, siamang, spotted deer, striped hyena, Indian palm squirrel and water buffalo.[6]

Reptiles at the zoo include Aldabra tortoise, rock python, Chinese alligator, cobra, monitor lizard, gharial, and turtles.[7]

Birds at the zoo include grey parrot, Speckled pigeon, black-necked stork, black-headed ibis, budgerigar, dusky eagle owl, Eurasian eagle owl, Lady Amherst pheasant, ostrich, bar headed goose, grey heron, Himalayan griffon, kalij pheasant, Black kite, sarus crane, Oriental pied hornbill, silver pheasant, Hyacinth Macaw, white pelican, Blue-and-yellow macaw, sulphur crested cockatoo, Love bird, Scaly-breasted munia, Red avadavat, Satyr tragopan, Reeve's pheasant, Zebra finch, Rose-ringed parakeet, white stork, Ruddy shelduck, Cockatiel, Lesser adjutant, Common emerald dove, Emu etc.[8]

Animals in The Central Zoo of Nepal as of Chaitra, 2067

CategoriesSpeciesNumber
Mammals34196
Reptiles921
Fishes14232
Birds51259
Total108708 [9]

Other facilities

The zoo includes a library, a children's playground, picnic areas and paddle boats on the lake. Fishing is allowed in the lake during some parts of the year.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Central Zoo in Jawalakhel". nepal.com. Nepal.com. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Central Zoo". ntnc.org.np. National Trust for Nature Conservation. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Show Must Go On". ecs.com.np. ECS Media Pvt Ltd. June 2011. Archived from the original on 17 October 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  4. ↑ Joshi, Sushma (26 August 2004). "On the Road with the Red God". sushma.blogspot.com. Sushma Joshi. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Central Zoo: The Only Zoo of Nepal". colorfulnepal.com. Colorful Nepal. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  6. ↑ "Mammals". centralzoo.info. National Trust for Nature Conservation. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  7. ↑ "Reptiles". centralzoo.info. National Trust for Nature Conservation. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  8. ↑ "Birds". centralzoo.info. National Trust for Nature Conservation. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  9. ↑ Central Zoo official website
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