Arignar Anna Zoological Park

Arignar Anna Zoological Park, commonly known as the Vandalur Zoo is a man-made zoological park, situated at Vandalur 32 km away on the outskirts of the Chennai Metropolitan area. Sprawls 1260 acres, it is one of the largest and modern zoos of India, and the biggest in south-east Asia.

Founded in 1855, the park was the first public zoo in India established in a limited area near Chennai Central Railway station. And later, it shifted to the southern metropolitan area called Vandalur Reserved Forests. The park was opened to public in the year 1985. Named after renowned Tamil politician, Arignar Anna, it also serves as rescue and rehabilitation center (Rescue Centre -044 22200335) for animals. Reports says that nearly 800,000 people visit this park annually.

Flora
The forest type of the park is mostly dry, deciduous and dry evergreen scrub type. In some places there are some cashew and Eucalyptus trees. About 138 plant species are found in the area.

Fauna
The park is bestowed with populations of varied wildlife such as 47 species of Mammals, 31 Species of Reptiles, 5 Species of Amphibians, Birds, Fishes and Insects. The zoo is the habitat for the rare and endangered 46 animals. Animals found here are Lion, Elephant, Barking Deer, Black Buck, Bonnet Macaque, Chimpanzee, Langur, Common Langur, Hippopottamus, Indian Civet Cat, Indian Giant Squirrel, Kangaroo, Nilgai, Panther, Otter, Tiger, Wild Boar, Zebra, Wolf, Toddy Cat, Rhesus Macaque etc. Among the 63 bird species found here, the prominet ones are the Adjutant Stork, Macaw, Sarus Crane, Little Cormorant, Yellow-watted Lapwing, Pelican, Openbill Stork, Painted Stork, Bengal Vulture, Cockatiel,Grey Heron and the Peacock.

Reptiles like the King Cobra, Pythons, Common Monitor Lizard, Mugger Crocodile, Russels Viper, Saw Scaled Viper etc are found here and also 25 Species of Fishes and 10 Species of Insects.

46 endangered animals of Western ghats and the Indian subcontinent are protected and the zoo is involved in the captive breeding of this endangered species.

Facilities: Forest department organises a 15 mts Lion Safari inside the park. Fees: Adult - Rs. 12/-, Children - Rs. 7/-. Nocturnal animals house, Prehistoric animal park, Butterfly house, Zoo school, Insectariums complex, Children's park, Interpretation center, Gardens, Lawns, Rest area. are the main attractions inside the park. The Otteri Lake situated within the park offers its visitors to see aquatic migratory birds like Painted stork, White ibis, Herons, Egrets.

Battery vehicles are available for the public: Adult - Rs. 12/-, Children - Rs. 7/-.

Fess: Children below 5 years - Free; Children (above 5 years and below 12   years) - Rs 10/-; Adult - Rs 15/-; Still Camera - Rs. 25/-; Handy Camera - Rs. 150/-; Cycle / Cycle Rikshaw - Rs. 2/-; Car / Van - Rs. 15/-, Bus- Rs. 50-/.