India’s oldest formally stated zoological park, this heritage zoo is home to various animals, birds and reptiles. Some of the popular species you can find are Bengal tigers, white tigers, African lions, giraffe, zebra, Galapagos giant tortoise, pelican and pheasant. It also housed the Aldabra giant tortoise, Adwaita. He was said to be over 25 years old when he died in 2006. The zoo is also the site for a captive-breeding project for the Manipur brow-antlered deer. Some rare birds found here include Lady Amherst’s pheasant, Swinhoe’s pheasant, emu, cassowary and ostrich. Recently, tigers have been given a glass enclosure – 10-ft-high and 200-ft-wide. For the birds, a 750 ft aviary has been built. This famous zoo is most visited in the winter months of December and January. The zoo is known by various names like the Zoological Garden, Alipore Zoo and Calcutta Zoo. It was opened to the public in 1876 and was inaugurated by Edward VII, who was the Prince of Wales at that time.

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