Vandalur zoo, Chennai

Chennai, the then Madras had the distinction of having the first zoo in India, started in 1855. Factors like air and sound pollution, insufficient place for accommodating the animals and highly dense human population around the corporation zoo became health hazards to animals of the zoo. Hence it was decided to shift the zoo from Moore market area to Vandalur Reserve Forest in the out-skirts of Chennai city. Works for the establishment of the zoo was started in 1976 and Arignar Anna Zoological Park was opended to public in 1985. It is one of the largest zoos in South East Asia sprawling over an area of 602 ha.

The existing landscape was utilized as it is and all the animals are exhibited in large open moated island type enclosures with simulated environment. The entire area of 602 ha. has been clothed with vegetation both by natural and some artificial regeneration.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park is one of the modern and scientifically managed zoos of the country with 257 full time staff apart from petty contract workers. The Zoological Park is the pride of the State and has attained excellence in the Conservation Breeding Programme for endangered species and creating awareness about the conservation of natural resources. The functions of the zoo are carried out by several departments/sections namely Administration, Animal welfare, Commissary (Stores), Transport, Research, Education and Awareness, Veterinary, Horticulture, Security and Sanitation.

The zoo has a well-equipped zoo kitchen, zoo hospital and quarantine facilities. A zoo school was opened in the year 2000 for the teachers, students and general public, where regular zoo education and conservation programmes are conducted. The zoo has adequate number of vehicles to transport visitors to the animal enclosures through the network of internal road.They are many types of deer ranging from barking deer, sambar, blackbuck, nilgai, sangai, hog deer.
Wolf, Jackal, Hyena, llama and OtterIt houses more than 170 species of animals in about 81 enclosures.There are about 47 species of mammals, 63 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles, 5 species of amphibians, 25 species of fishes, and 10 species of insects in the park.

Vandalur zoo working hours is between 9:00 AM to 6:PM on all days except Tuesday. As Tuesday is a declared holiday for Vandalur zoo