Spread in an area of 400 hectares of land, Nandankanan Zoological Park is the first zoo in India that is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The zoo is around 20 km from the Bhubaneshwar city and is one of the best places for kids in Orissa. This zoo is also India’s first captive gharial breeding center. Nandankanan lies amidst the luxurious Chandaka forest and also owns Kanjia Lake.
There are 47 open-moated enclosures and 54 cages in Nandankanan Zoological Park where there are 126 species of animals including 40 mammal species, 24 species of reptiles, and 56 kinds of avifauna species. The zoo has a total of 1580 animals with 812 birds, 634 mammals and 134 reptiles. Visitors can also spot 88 local species and 32 exotic animal species, along with the rare White Tigers (34). African Lion, Grant’s Zebra, Giraffe and Gaur are the other latest additions in the zoo.
The collection at the zoo comprises of 6 endangered bird species, 15 endangered mammal species, and 10 species of endangered reptiles. This Zoological Park also runs ‘Adopt an Animal project’ where people can sponsor food and other kinds of essential items for the animals inside the park. Some of the attractions in Nandankanan that offered India’s first white tiger safari, include Reptile Park, aerial ropeway, a joyride in toy train, cable car and boating.
During animal safari in Nandankanan, visitors can spot animals and birds like Indian crocodiles, black buck, Himalayan black bear, nilgiri Langur, lion-tailed macaques, Indian pangolin, Patas monkey, Burmese Python, Indian Pangolin, Orang-Utan, Open-billed Stork, Nicobar Pigeon, Green-winged Macaws, Malayan Giant squirrel, Salt water crocodile, Hippopotamus, Brow-antlered deer, and more.
