Indira Gandhi Zoological Park Visakhapatnam

Location: On National Highway No. 5, in Kambalakonda Reserve Forest
Attraction: Hippopotamus and Crocodiles

Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is located amidst Kambalakonda Reserve Forest in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.

This Zoological Park is named after The Former Prime Minister Of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi. It was declared open to the public on 19 May 1977. It covers an area of 625 acres (2.53 km2). It is situated in Visakhapatnam amidst the scenic Eastern Ghats of India. It is surrounded by Eastern Ghats on 3 sides and Bay of Bengal on the fourth side. Nearly eighty species of animals numbering to about eight hundred are present in the zoo. The Zoo Park has different sections for primates, carnivores, lesser carnivores, small mammals, reptiles, ungulates and birds caged in their natural ambiance.

The Park houses almost eighty species, numbering to eight hundred animals, in its expanse. Infact, it has special sections for primates, carnivores, lesser carnivores, small mammals, ungulates, reptiles and birds in their natural replicated enclosures. Amongst the primates, the extra attention is gained by Rhesus monkey, Bonnet monkey, Mandrills, Olive and Sacred baboons, whereas Panthers, Tigers, Lions, Pumas, Jaguars, Wolves, Jackals, Hyena, Ratel, etc are the major ones in Carnivores.

The section of Reptiles has Pythons, Tortoise, Terrapins, Monitor lizards, Snakes and Water Monitor Lizards. In the range of Herbivores, the park embraces Elephant, Bison, Sambar, Spotted deer and Thamin deer. Regarding Avifauna, there are Grey/ Rosy pelicans, Pied hornbills, Painted storks, Peacocks, Ducks, Love birds, Cockatiels, Macaws and various other ground birds. You can also walk beside the aviaries, which comprise a diverse collection of birds from the Eastern Ghats.

The animals like Himalayan Black Bear and Sloth Bear are kept in separate huge enclosures. Apart from other animals and birds, the special attraction at the park is made by the Hippopotamus and the Crocodiles, which can be seen basking in the sun. It is for sure that an expedition to this park would be fun for both, old and young. On your trip to Andhra Pradesh, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is certainly a place worth-visiting.
The Zoo Park is about four kilometres from the Visakhapatnam railway station on the National Highway 5 (India) near Mathurawada.

Timings:
Timings 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

The Zoo is open round the year on all weekdays except Monday.

Contact:
Curator Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam - 530 040

How to Reach This Place
Road : Visakhapatnam is 650 km from Hyderabad and 350 km from Vijayawada. Regular bus services are available to Hyderabad, \Tijayawada, Bhubaneswar, Chennai and Tirupati.

Rail : Visakhapatnam is a major junction on the commercially important Chennai, Kolkata rail line. As such the city is well connected by rail with New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Daily express trains are available to all these four maj or cities.

Air : Connected with Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi and Bhubaneshwar. Indian Airlines flies daily to Hyderabad and five times a week to Chennai, New. Delhi and Kolkata.