The Zoological Garden in Kolkata is the largest Zoo
in India. It is spread over an area of about 100 acres. The Zoo is
located on Belvedre road in Kolkata and was established in 1876. The zoo
is home to a rich variety of birds, animals, and reptiles.
The origins of the Zoo can be traced back to 1873, when, the then
Governor Sir Richard Temple proposed the formation of a zoo in Calcutta.
Sir C.L. Lendal corroborated it. Finally, the Government allotted land
for this purpose responding to the joint petition of the Asiatic Society
and Agri-Horticultural Society. The zoo was inaugurated on the January
1, 1876 by King Edward VII.
Zoological Garden, Kolkata is credited with bringing back the rare
Manipur Brow Antlered Deer from near extinction. The zoo was first to
have bred Giraffes and has produced Tigions, and Litigons as a cross
breeding experiment. The artificial lake of the zoo attracts a large
number of migratory birds every year.
