Arignar Anna Zoological Park

The Arignar Anna Zoological Park is a great place for nature lovers, animal enthusiasts, photographers, and adventure seekers. It provides visitors of all ages with a calm atmosphere and a tranquil setting. The park, which is 32 kilometers from the city center, is home to over 160 different types of animals and is regarded as one of the greatest locations in India to explore the well-known wildlife habitat. Panthers, jaguars, lions, blackbucks, hyenas, ostriches, bison, Asiatic wolves, white tigers, and many more exotic species may be seen in Arignar Anna Zoological Park, also called Vandalur Zoo, which is ideal for weekend excursions. The park also has a wide variety of fish, butterflies, birds, reptiles, and mammals, so you may learn about all the many kinds of life on the planet. Additionally, there is a Children’s Park and a Jurassic Park to provide families with endless fun. Elephant joy rides, a butterfly house, a reptile house, an amphibian house, and the shark-shaped aquarium are other unique features that will double your enjoyment when you visit this park.

Attraction

With 602 hectares, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, located close to Chennai, is one of the biggest zoos in India. It has a wide variety of animals, such as tigers, lions, elephants, and many kinds of birds, all kept in realistic settings. The park features an aquarium with aquatic life and safari rides for up-close animal experiences. Its lovely botanical gardens offer a picturesque setting for nature excursions, and educational initiatives raise awareness of the need to conserve animals. It is a well-liked vacation spot for families and nature lovers because of its assortment of activities.

History

The first public zoo established in Madras City was the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, which dates back to 1855 and was founded by Dr. Edward Belford. It was then moved to the present site of Chennai’s Vandalur Reserve Forest in 1976. The park had grown to 512 hectares at that point. However, when construction began in 1979, a few years later, the authorities bought more property to expand it, and now it covers 602 hectares. The Arignar Anna Zoological Park was formally opened to the public in 1985 and is equipped to provide for the basic needs of the birds and animals. Every living thing has its own space, and animals are allowed to roam freely and peacefully in a designated area.

Inside/Outside Views

The interior of the park is lush and well-kept, with ponds, tree-lined paths that provide shade, and expansive landscapes. With rocky outcrops, water features, and green areas where lions, tigers, elephants, and giraffes graze, the roomy animal cages are modeled after their natural habitats. The butterfly house and aviary provide bright, vivid views of butterflies and birds in spacious, open areas with foliage and flowering plants. For a close-up look at the fish and reptiles, the aquarium and reptile house have transparent, glass-fronted enclosures. Safari rides provide guests with an up-close look at animals in their natural habitat while bringing them further into the zoo’s densely forested areas. While the children’s park features entertaining constructions, families can enjoy the convenience of paths dotted with benches, tiny kiosks, and signboards. Grand gates and ornate walls that create a pleasant atmosphere highlight the Arignar Anna Zoological Park’s main entrance. There are ticket booths, restrooms, and open areas at the entry where guests can unwind or congregate before entering. The outdoor location, which is surrounded by vegetation, offers plenty of parking and visitor amenities. Numerous tiny stores and restaurants just outside the park provide beverages and mementos, enhancing the vibrant ambiance surrounding the zoo.

How to Reach

By Air: The park is about 15 km from Chennai International Airport, formerly Madras International Meenambakkam Airport and it takes over 30 minutes to get there. It receives frequent domestic and international flights from all over the world because it is the city’s only airport.

By Train: The Chennai Central Railway Station, which is around 38 km distant, has excellent train access to India’s other major cities and smaller towns. Among them are Bengaluru, New Delhi, Kolkata, Cochin, Patna, Bhopal, Kanpur, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. For a hassle-free experience, you can reserve a private taxi or a cab from the best vehicle rental companies in Chennai as you get to the station.

By Road: Finally, the city is connected to several national roads, including Puducherry, Tiruvallur, Trichy, and Bengaluru, by a number of both public and private buses. To make your drive to Chennai easier, make use of the services of opulent coaches. Alternatively, you could decide to drive yourself all the way to the city’s most visited tourist destinations.

Tips for Travellers

Rent a bicycle to roam around this park.
Make sure to bring enough drinking water with you.
Avoid throwing plastic covers and bags here and there.
Don’t bring your own food inside the park.
Don’t try feeding, hurting, or teasing the animals.
Smoking/Drinking is strictly prohibited inside the premises.

FAQ

Que-01: Is this place safe to visit?

Ans: Yes, this place is safe.

Que-02: Is photography allowed here?

Ans: Yes, photography is allowed here.

Que-03: What can I bring to the zoo?

Ans: Outside food is only allowed in reusable plastic or stainless steel containers. You should not bring pets, polythene bags, plastic bottles, or firecrackers into the zoo.

Que-04: What are the rules at the zoo?

Ans: You should not feed, tease, or throw things at the animals. You should also not cross the fences, security walls, or stand-off barriers.

Que-05: What amenities are available at the zoo?

Ans: The zoo has restrooms, drinking water, seating benches, shelters, and a designated area for mothers to feed their babies. There are also dining areas and cloakrooms at the entrance.