Central Zoo

The Central Zoo(Nepali: सदर चिडियाखाना) 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.

Central Zoo
Red Panda in Central Zoo, Nepal
27.6731849°N 85.3109334°E / 27.6731849; 85.3109334
Date opened
  • 1932 (private zoo)
  • 1956 (opened to public)[1]
LocationJawalakhel, Lalitpur, Nepal
Land area6 ha
No. of animals969[2]
No. of species109[3]
Annual visitors1,000,000[3]
WebsiteCentral Zoo NTNC

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.[4][5]

History

The Central Zoo was established in 1932 by Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumser as a private zoo; it came under government control in 1950.[6] It was built under the engineering and project management of General Maheshwar Shamshere Rana (PM Juddha Shamshere's grandson) and his handpicked skilled and unskilled workforce. 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.[3] 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.[4]

Animals
Elephant
Chimpanzee
Tiger
Ostrich

The zoo is home to about 870 animals in 109 species,[3] 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, chimpanzee, lemur, and many birds.[4][6] It also has an aquarium for subtropical fish.[3]

Mammals

Mammals at the zoo include:[7]

Reptiles

Reptiles at the zoo include:[8][9]

Birds

Birds at the zoo include:[10]

Vulture

Central Zoo animal overview

Animals in the Central Zoo of Nepal are in the following categories and numbers, as of April 2011:

CategoriesSpeciesNumber
Mammals43200
Reptiles921
Fishes14232
Birds80500
Total146953 [11]

Other facilities

The zoo includes a library, a children's small fun park, picnic areas and paddle boats on the lake. Fishing is allowed in the lake during some parts of the year.[3]

References

  1. "Central Zoo in Jawalakhel". nepal.com. Nepal.com. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  2. "Central Zoo". ntnc.org.np. National Trust for Nature Conservation.
  3. "Central Zoo". ntnc.org.np. National Trust for Nature Conservation. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  4. "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.
  5. Joshi, Sushma (26 August 2004). "On the Road with the Red God". sushma.blogspot.com. Sushma Joshi. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  6. "Central Zoo: The Only Zoo of Nepal". colorfulnepal.com. Colorful Nepal. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  7. "Mammals". centralzoo.info. National Trust for Nature Conservation. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  8. "Reptiles". centralzoo.info. National Trust for Nature Conservation. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  9. Durga Datt Joshi (2007). Welfare Assessment of Wildlife Animals and Birds in Central Zoo of Kathmandu, Nepal (PDF) (Second ed.). Kathmandu: National Zoonoses and Food Hygiene Research Centre; World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA). ISBN 99933-49-55-0. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2022.
  10. "Birds". centralzoo.info. National Trust for Nature Conservation. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  11. "Central Zoo official website". Archived from the original on 2013-01-27. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
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