Anna Zoological Park also known as Vandalur Zoo located in Vandalur, Chennai. The Park was the first public zoo in India. It is recognized by the Central Zoo Authority of India. Spread over an area of 1260 acres, it is the largest zoological garden in India and is believed to house more than 170 species of mammals, birds and reptiles in about 81 enclosures.

Vandalur Zoo originally called Madras Zoo, it was situated in People’s Park near Park Town. The zoo had expanded considerably, and by 1975, it had to be moved out of the city owing to space constraint and increased noise pollution due to the city’s high-density traffic. In 1979, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department set aside 1260 acres in the Vandalur Reserve Forest on the outskirts of the city to build the current zoo, which is the largest zoological garden in India and one of the largest in South Asia. The zoo in its new premises was officially opened to public in the year 1985.

Timings

The zoo is open from 9.00am to 8.00pm all days, except Tuesdays.

Elephant Safari

Elephant safari is introduced in the zoo starting from the summer of 2008. Visitors can travel on elephants for a tour around the zoo. The safari is available between 9.30am and 11.30am and between 4.00pm and 5.00pm.