Kolkata Zoo and Zoological Garden

The Zoological Garden, Alipore aka the Alipore Zoo or Calcutta Zoo, opened in 1876 is the country’s oldest zoological park. The park is established in a vast land of 46.5 acres. The place is very often flocked by the zoology lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, students and people seeking a day gateway. The place is famed for its long lives 250 years old amphibian, The Aldabra giant tortoise Adwaita. Still, the zoo pulls huge crowd because being home to the numerous wild animals like royal Bengal tiger, African lion, Asiatic lion, jaguar, hippopotamus, great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, reticulated giraffe, Grant’s zebra, emu, and Indian elephant. Other birds that draw tourists attention are the large parrot’s species, namely, macaw species, conures, lories and lorikeets. One can also spot giant birds as touracos and hornbills; golden pheasant, Lady Amherst’s pheasant, and Swinhoe’s pheasant and emu, cassowary, and ostrich. The other important inclusions of the park are Reptile House, a Primate House, an Elephant House, and a Panther House. One can also see a glass-walled enclosure for tigers here, which is rare to find. For the children is a children’s park inside the premises and also a waterbody to attract the migratory birds. This is a must-visit place on the trip to Kolkata.