I am sure we all have been to Zoos in our childhood. At that time those were the days when holidays would mean visiting a zoo for the whole day. Those were our own days of fun and we all feel nostalgic thinking about it. So what is the harm in relieving those days again? Furthermore, we will be reminded of all the things we have once done in our lives with just one visit to a Zoo. And more importantly if you have not visited a Zoo in the longest of time then this is your chance. Winters are any way round the corner which is like the ideal time to visit a zoo. So if you are in Kolkata then visiting the Kolkata Zoo should be there in your plan.
Alipore Zoo
The Alipore Zoo is actually a really rich Zoological Garden and there is so much that you can observe by visiting here after you have grown up. Now you would understand about the different species, animals and also the history behind the creation of this place and so much more. Furthermore you can also visit here with your friends or even family. Nevertheless if you are a parent already why not visit the Kolkata Zoo with your little one? After all, they can also create some beautiful memories to cherish many years later.
If you are visiting Kolkata from any outside place then the Alipore Zoo is a must visit for you. And if you are a resident of Kolkata already, then don’t be late and plan your visit here already. You are surely going to enjoy this experience. Keep on reading this article as I am going to add all the necessary information about the Zoo in Kolkata. It will be a helpful read for you, so read till the end.
Location of Alipore Zoo Kolkata:
No 2, Alipore Road, Alipore Zoological Garden, Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal
Entry fee of Alipore Zoo Kolkata:
Alipore Zoo ticket price is Rs. 10 per person for children up to 5 years of age. For everyone above 5 years the entry fee is Rs. 25 per person on regular days. On holidays and Saturdays and Sundays ticket price is Rs. 30 per person for everyone above 5 years of age. The aquarium ticket price is Rs. 5 per person.
An extra charge for video cameras is Rs. 250 per hour. Still Cameras are free.
Alipore Zoo Timing:
9 am to 5 pm is garden timing on all days. Aquarium timing is from 10:30 to 5 pm on all days. Ticket counter timings are 9 am to 4:30 pm. The Zoo remains closed only on Thursdays.
Even though Thursdays are closed days for the zoo, if a National Holiday falls on a Thursday then the Zoo remains open that day. However, in that scenario, the zoo remains closed the next day. Also from 15th December to 31st January the Zoo is open on all 7 days of the week. So check out the days before visiting here.
How to go to Alipore Zoo
Alipore Zoo nearest Metro station is Netaji Bhavan. From there you can either take a bus or auto or a cab to reach the Zoo. If you wish to travel by bus then the nearest bus stop is Ekbalpur.
Best time to visit the Alipore Zoo
Technically, the winter season is the ideal time to visit the Kolkata Zoo. The time from November to February is usually the most crowded time of the year. The weather remains favourable at that time, which makes it convenient for the visitors. Also many migratory birds visit the zoo around this time which is another major attraction for bird watchers. The summers would be too harsh to visit here. Other than that this is an all year round spot. You can visit here anytime.
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About Alipore Zoo Kolkata
Popularly known as Kolkata Zoo or Alipore Zoo or Calcutta Zoo, the Alipore Zoological Garden is the oldest zoo in India that was formally started as a zoo. An extremely popular spot for both residents and non residents of Kolkata, the Alipore Zoo was established in 1876. Spread across an area of 46. 5 acres this is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kolkata. Alipore Zoo in Kolkata is a home for many mammals, reptiles and birds. One of the most special attractions here was the giant Tortoise here named Adwaita who was alive for more than 250 years till 2006. In 2006 the tortoise died. With a rich history of 140 years this is one of the richest Zoological gardens. One of the recent additions here is the glass wall enclosure for tigers which is like a first time thing in India.
Alipore Zoo History
At first the Alipore Zoo was started privately by the then Governor General in India, Richard Wellesley. Around the year 1800, this initiative was taken as a part of the Indian Natural History Project. Furthermore, the first initiative was taken by the curator of Bengal Asiatic Society Museum, Dr. John McCleland in 1842. However it was a failed attempt to establish a proper Zoological Garden. Later around 1867, the then president of the Asiatic Society of Bengal again attempted to take forward this idea.
This time the plan was successful. But the main issue at that point was a suitable piece of land for the establishment of a zoo. And therefore the plan was again scrapped. Later in 1873 the plan was again proposed by the then Postmaster of Government of India Sir Carl Louis Schwedier. But it was said that until and unless a suitable area is found the plan would be put on hold.
Finally, in 1875 the land in Alipore was allotted by the Government for the Zoological Garden. A number of donors then donated their collection of specimens including Mr. Carl Louis Schwendler. A lot of people from both British and Indian communities, including some famous ones like Raja Wadiyar IV who is the Maharaja of Mysore, Raja Suryakanta Acharya of Mymensingh donated some of their menageries.
Furthermore a managing committee was created with Sir Schwendler and Botanist George King. After a lot of discussions on things like the entry fee, timings and everything, the zoo was opened on 1st May 1876 for the public. One of the biggest contributors for the development of the Zoo in the initial years was Rai Bahadur Ram Brahma Sanyal who was the first Superintendent of the garden. His ideas of captive breeding, taking care of the nutritional values of the species, providing medical aid, and maintaining records of behavioral patterns and other things of the animals were truly helpful in the development of this Zoological Garden.
What to expect in Alipore Zoo Kolkata
You can find more than 1266 mammals in the Alipore Zoological Garden. This variety includes almost 108 species of herbivore, carnivore and primates. The carnivorous animals here include Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopards, Lions, Jungle cat, Fishing cat, Jaguar, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear and more. Among Herbivorous animals you will find Swamp Deer, White Fallow Deer, Brow Antlered Deer, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Sambar Deer, Hog Deer, Black Buck, Indian Elephant, Zebra, Indian One Horned Rhinoceros, Nilgai, Hippopotamus and more. Furthermore, there are primates here that include both exotic and indigenous varieties. Indigenous primates include Common Langur, Rhesus Monkey and Bonnet Monkey while the exotic primates include Olive Chimpanzees, Hamadryas Baboon and Common Marmoset.
Furthermore, you can find a variety of reptiles in Alipore Zoo as well. They are kept in a special zone known as The Reptile House. The place is created in the most original way possible according to the needs of the inhabitants. Among snakes you can find Indian Cobra, Indian Python, Banded Krait, Common Krait, Rat Snake, Common Wolf Snake, and Checkered Keelback Water Snake here. You can also see Crocodiles and Gharials here in their most natural habitat. They are kept in a way so that it seems more realistic.
Whats more ?
In terms of bird species in the Kolkata Zoo, it is rich as well. Many exotic birds along with some endangered varieties are found here. Here you can find a good variety of Pheasants like Golden Pheasant, Chinese Silver Pheasant, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Reeves’s Pheasant, Bhutan Grey Peacock Pheasant, Nepal Kalij Pheasant, Green Pheasant. Furthermore, there is a good variety of cockatoos here like Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Bare Eyed Cockatoo, Moluccan Cockatoo, Citron Crested Cockatoo, and Goffin’s Cockatoo are kept here. Red and blue macaws and blue and yellow macaws are found here too which look really pretty. Alongside, some endangered bird species are also kept here like White Stork, Spoonbill, Painted Storks, Black Necked Storks, Adjutant Storks, Sarus Crane.
You can visit the separate houses in Alipore Zoo like the Reptile House, Elephant House, Primate House, Panther House. There is a separate area called the children’s zoo as well. Furthermore there is an aquarium that you can visit. Along with that there is a central water body inside the premise and many migratory birds are seen around that area during winters. It is a great spot for the birdwatchers in winters.
A visit to a zoo can be all the way more special if this was one of the things you enjoyed during your childhood. How fun would it be to go back to those days again, yet enjoy the development? Furthermore, now that you are grown up already you will find the place more interesting. Finally, now you will be able to see the map, understand what is written about each species, and gain more knowledge about specific animals. I can guarantee a visit to the Alipore Zoo can be enriching and a lot of fun altogether. So next time you are looking for a hangout spot to spend a day with either your family or friends this is the place to look for.
wrapping up!
Furthermore, you won’t be able to find a better picnic spot than this. With occasional visits to see the animals, and taking breaks in between to relax, you can have a fulfilling day. So take your whole family along, and have a good time with everyone. I feel zoos are one such place that people of all age groups can enjoy. So let me know what your fondest memories related to the zoo are. And also let me know when you are planning to visit the Alipore Zoo. I would love to know if this particular article was helpful for you in planning a day out for you.
