Overview
- Features: Oldest zoo in India with adopted animals
- Opening Times: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (Wed-Mon)
- Best Time to Visit: Late October to early March
- Duration: Half a day
- Travelled By: Bus
- Cost: Adult/child Rs 50/20; weekends & public holidays Rs 10 extra
- Address: Ittige Gudu, Bangalore-Mysore Road, Mysore, Karnataka, India
- Type: Wildlife
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Summary
Set in pretty gardens on the eastern edge of the city, Mysore Zoo is one of the oldest and most popular zoos in India. A range of primates, tigers, elephants, bears, birds and rhinos live here. Read on to find out why Mysore Zoo is one of the best zoos in India.
Mysore Zoo
Set in pretty gardens on the eastern edge of the city, Mysore Zoo is one of the oldest and most popular zoos in India. A range of primates, tigers, elephants, bears, birds and rhinos live here. If you’re in Mysore, you should definitely visit this zoo, especially if you have kids. Read on to find out why Mysore Zoo is one of the best zoos in India.
About Mysore Zoo
Mysore Zoo (officially known as Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens) is a 157-acre (64 ha) zoo located on the eastern edge of the city. Mysore Zoo is one of the city’s most popular attractions and one of the oldest and most popular zoos in India. It is home to a wide range of species, about 168 species in total. The zoo was established under royal patronage in 1892, making it one of the oldest zoos in the world.
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While mainly depending on entry fees for its financing, an adoption scheme was introduced in the early 2000s at Mysore Zoo which has been a success, with Indian celebrities, institutions, and animal lovers contributing directly to the welfare of the zoo inmates.
Mysore Zoo was originally created in 1892 on 10 acres (4.0 ha) of the summer palace of Maharaja Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar, and was originally called the Palace Zoo. The zoo was originally set up by G.H. Krumbeigal, a German landscaper and horticulturist. Over the next 10 years the zoo was expanded to 45 acres (18 ha) with spacious enclosures that are still in use. The zoo was opened to the public in 1902, and now includes a bandstand and an artificial lake.
Mysore Zoo Map
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Mysore Zoo Animals
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The zoo is currently home to ten elephants, and has more elephants than any other zoo in India. A total of 34 elephants have lived at this zoo, many of which were eventually transferred to other zoos. The zoo also has five green anacondas, contributed by Colombo Zoo. It also has giraffes, zebras, lions, tigers, white rhinoceroses, and baboons.
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The Mysore Zoo has a large collection of Indian birds and animals including white peacocks, Indian hornbill, Royal Bengal tigers, gaurs, Indian elephants, and Indian leopard.
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Mysore Zoo has been famous for housing giraffes. Standing tall, they are a huge hit with children and therefore placed at the entrance to the zoo. The zoo has five giraffes including ‘Lakshmi’ a 2-year old female giraffe. The giraffes are adopted by popular Indian cricketer, Anil Kumble.
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The zoo also has a good collection of deers and antelopes including several Indian deer varieties such as Barasingha (swamp deer), Indian Muntjac, and Sambar. Due to the excellent weather conditions, the zoo has bred most of their deers and antelopes successfully over the years.
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Recently, Mysore Zoo rescued two Royal Bengal tigers, Amrita and Shiva, from Nagarhole and Bandipura Tiger Reserves. Amrita has a sustained injury in her foreleg while Shiva is aged so they will both spend the rest of their lives in captive conditions and will continue to be a star attraction at the zoo.
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Mysore Zoo is also home to a very popular and hostile white tiger.
Mysore Zoo Gorilla & Other Primates
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African and Indian primates are always a popular attraction at zoos and Mysore Zoo has no shortage of these primates. Ranging from the common Indian macaques to the more exotic Hamadryas baboons, the primates at this zoo are very entertaining.
Polo, the African gorilla loves his swing and can be caught sitting on it any time of the day.
(Unfortunately, Polo, India’s only gorilla died in April 2014 due to old age. He was 41 years old.)
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Mysore Zoo Timings
Mysore Zoo is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm daily except for Tuesdays. The best time to visit the zoo is in the morning when the sun is not that strong and the animals are active. Try to visit during the week when there are less crowds.
Mysore Zoo Entry Fee
Mysore Zoo tickets cost Rs 50 per adult and Rs 20 per child on weekdays; it costs Rs 10 extra on weekends & public holidays.
Mysore Zoo has recently announced a new online ticketing system where people can purchase e-tickets from their website (mysorezoo.info) prior to their visit. E-tickets are valid seven days from booking.
Mysore Zoo Location
Mysore Zoo is located on the Bangalore-Mysore Road on the eastern fringe of Mysore city. There is a bus stop just outside the zoo entrance gate with buses plying from the Mysore City bus station. Alternatively, auto rickshaws and taxis can be hailed from outside the zoo entrance gate.
Mysore Zoo Address
Ittige Gudu,
Bangalore-Mysore Road,
Mysore,
Karnataka,
India
