Zoological parks play a vital role in understanding the life of wild animals and also help in protecting them. Zoological parks also provide an ecosystem which will help in sustaining the life of these species. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is one such which provide shelter and protection to different kind of animals.

Visakhapatnam which is in Andhra Pradesh is the place where the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is situated. The name was chosen in order remember Mrs Indira Gandhi who was our former Prime minister. Around 625 acres of land, which comes under the Kambalakonda Wildlife sanctuary of Eastern Ghats, is utilized for constructing such a zoological park for protecting wild animals. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park was opened in the year 1977 and from 19th may of that year onwards the general public were allowed into the park in order to have a close look at the species protected there. One of the main geographical specialties of this park is that the Eastern Ghats surrounds the three sides of the park and the fourth side by the Bay of Bengal. Almost 80 different species of animals are being protected in the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park. This park has around 850 animals which belong to the 80 species groups which we have discussed earlier. Herbivorous, carnivorous, reptiles, primates and birds can be seen in this park.

Now let us have a close look at the species which are protected in this zoological park. Both endemic and exotic species are protected in this zoological park. Endemic species are those species which can be found only in particular geographical region while exotic means species which are introduced to a particular region that is a foreign species.

Many kinds of primates are protected in this zoological park, some of them are endemic and some are exotic. The exotic varieties include Mandrill, Goeldi’s marmoset, Ring-tailed lemur, and Baboons. Bonnet Monkey, Rhesus Monkey and common Languor are some of the endemic varieties of primates in the zoological park.

As said earlier many birds are kept inside big cages without obstructing its movement. The zoological park is famous for Macaws, Ostrich, Budgerigars and emu which are exotic varieties. Painted Storks, Ducks, love birds, Parakeets, Spotted doves, Vultures and eagles are some of the endemic varieties of birds in the zoological park.

Herbivorous species are very important in an ecosystem, these animals also required to be protected. Eld’s Deer, Sambar Deer, Elephants, Barking Deer, wild boars, swamp deers, Nilgai giraffes and Hippopotamus are some of the herbivorous species of this park.

Carnivorous species, which are considered as the most important species in a zoo are also kept in the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park. Asiatic Lions, Tigers Jackals, Leopards, Hyenas and wild dogs are some of the endemic carnivorous animals in the zoological park. There are some exotic varieties also which include Jaguar and Puma.

There is a separate section for protecting the reptiles. Lizards, land tortoise, pythons, snakes, monitor lizards, gharial and mugger crocodile are some of the reptile species which are being protected in the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park. Along with these animals, some animals like Himalayan black bear, civets, sloth bear, porcupines and owls are also present here.

You could easily reach this park since it is just four kms away from the Visakhapatnam railway station. The Indira Gandhi Zoological park have two entrance gates and exit gates and they are opposite to each other. Indira Gandhi Zoological park will be opened from Tuesday to Sunday and Monday will not be opened on Mondays. A canteen, a library and a learning centre are there inside the zoological park which would help the visitors. Tourists who are planning to visit Visakhapatnam should not miss a chance to visit the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, which could provide you with a calm and pleasant atmosphere. This is the best spot for animal lovers to spend their time by acquiring more information about animals.