Kanpur Zoological Park

2021-08-30T03:30:28Z

110.235.238.163: /* Location and hours */By typing myself.

{{More citations needed|date=November 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name = '''Kanpur Zoological Park'''
|image = Oskanpur-2.jpg
|image_caption = Dinosaur Sculpture at Allen Forest Zoo
|location = Zoo Entrance, Hastings Avenue, Azad Nagar, Nawabganj, [[Kanpur]]-02, [[Uttar Pradesh]], India
|date_opened = 4 February 1974<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.kanpurzoo.org/zoo.php |website=Kanpur Zoological Park |access-date=30 December 2019 |quote=It opened for public on 4th February 1974.}}</ref>
|coordinates = {{Coord|26.5029234|N|80.303404|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|area = {{Convert|76.56|ha|abbr=on}}<ref name="zoo_area">
{{Cite web
|url=http://www.kanpurzoo.org/zoo.php
|title=Kanpur Zoo
}}</ref>
|num_species = 125
|num_animals = 1400
|annual_visitors = 8,00,000
|members = [[Central Zoo Authority of India|CZA]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Renewal of Recognition |url=http://cza.nic.in/uploads/documents/zoos/zoo-status/english/299.pdf |website=Central Zoo Authority |access-date=30 December 2019}}</ref> Uttar Pradesh Zoological Soicety|notable_exhibits = [[Animals]], [[Insects]] and [[Aquatic animals]]
|website = {{URL|http://www.kanpurzoo.org/}}
}}

'''Kanpur Zoological Park''' or '''Allen Forest Zoo''' ([[Hindi]]: कानपुर चिड़ियाघर / कानपुर प्राणी उद्यान), also called the '''Kanpur Zoo''' is a {{convert|76.56|ha|adj=on}} [[zoo]] in [[Kanpur]], a large city in [[North India|Northern India]]. It is the largest open green space in [[Kanpur]] and the largest zoological park in [[North India]]. Originally a natural habitat for fauna, it is one of the few zoos in [[India]] created in a natural forest. The animals inhabited in the [[Zoological park|Zoological Park]] have been put in open and moated enclosures. The moated enclosures give the animal ample space for movement and help in expressing their biological and physiological expressions.

In 2015, Kanpur Zoological Park added another feather in its cap, as it became a part of one of the handful of zoos in the country to receive an ISO certification of 14001:2004<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Kanpur-zoo-now-ISO-certifed/articleshow/48369312.cms|title=Kanpur zoo now ISO certifed [sic]|date=6 August 2015|first=Abhinav|last=Malhotra|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref> for 'Environment Management System Standard’.

Kanpur Zoo vets, stuffed the void of a term to denominate a wild animal born in captivity, by amalgamating 'WILD' and 'DOMESTIC and coined 'WILDOMESTIC’. This has been widely recognised and accepted by wild lifers and print and electronic media. It has been recommended by all for inclusion in several dictionaries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Wildomestic-stands-for-animals-born-in-captivity/articleshow/48799213.cms|title='Wildomestic' stands for animals born in captivity|date=4 September 2015|first=Abhinav|last=Malhotra|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-27}}</ref>

First director of the zoo was RS Bhadauria(IFS)

==Location and hours==
The Allen Forest Zoo is located about seven kilometres (5.2 miles) from the city's centre.<ref name="maps_of_india"/> In earlier colonial records, it is mentioned as being close to Nawabganj, a locality in [[Kanpur]]. The zoo is an oasis of green, featuring a natural lake and ancient trees.

The zoo is open for visitors on all days from '''9 am to 5:00 pm, except on Mondays'''. Two electric cars are available for a 50 mins ride. The smaller one is a three seater and the larger one is a seven seater. Their charges are ₹120 and ₹210 respectively. Plastic bags are strictly banned inside of the zoo, and water is provided in coolers instead of in plastic bottles. Water, snacks and [[ice cream]] is available in plenty. Sulabh Shauchalayas have provided hygienic washrooms and well maintained R.O. plants are too present. Residents of the city can go for their morning walks within the premises of the spacious compound and can get a monthly ticket made for that purpose.

Ticket rates for entry in the zoo are ₹70 for adults and ₹35 for 5 to 12 age group while the toy train costs ₹50 for adults and ₹25 for 5 to 12 age group.

==History==
The Zoological Park in [[Kanpur]], (earlier [[Cawnpore]]) was the brainchild of a botanist Sir Allen, a member of the British Indian Civil Service. Sir Allen wanted to open the zoo in a natural forest, but his plans were stuck in bureaucratic red-tape and did not materialize. When the zoo at last opened in 1971 by the government of independent [[India]], it was named after him.

Allen forest was developed during the British rule between the years 1913-1918 by George Berney Allen, a famous British industrialist of [[Kanpur]] on the banks of the river [[Ganges|Ganga]]. The zoo was constructed from 1971-1973 under the supervision of then IFS officer RS Bhadauria. The first animal to arrive at the zoo was an otter caught by a fisherman from the [[Chambal River]].

In 1975, the first appointed doctor of the zoo was Dr. Ashwani Kumar Tripathi, who graduated from the [[G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology]], College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences. Dr. Tripathi contributed to efforts in introducing modern technology to keep the animals healthy. The enclosures for animals and birds were designed on the latest trends in the field of zoo building technology, well spread along the lake on either side of a semicircular arterial road of about 9 km. length.

The current director of the zoo is Mr. Krishna Kumar Singh (IFS)

==Animals==
[[File:Oskanpur-1.JPG|thumb|left|Rhinoceros at the zoo]][[File:Tigress at Kanpur Zoo.JPG|thumb|Tigress at the zoo]]
Mammals at the zoo include white tigers, [[leopard]], [[hyena]], [[Asian black bear|black bear]], [[grizzly bear]], [[sloth]], [[rhinoceros]], [[hippopotamus]], [[monkey]]s, [[langur]], [[baboon]]s, musk deer, [[deer]], [[zebra]], and [[antelope]].<ref name="maps_of_india"/> [[Common chimpanzee|chimpanzee]]s (including a 26-year-old named Chhajju) and [[orangutan]]s (including a 30-year-old named Mangal) have their own island. Some [[monkey]]s and [[deer]] are allowed to roam outside the enclosures as natural inhabitants of the zoo.

[[Reptile]]s at the zoo include [[Indian gharial]].

The [[Asiatic lions|lion]] at the zoo died of an unknown disease during November 2010. On 11 December 2016, Nandini and her partner Ajay were brought to Kanpur zoo from Raipur zoo and allowed to mate. After three months of pregnancy, lioness littered two cubs, of which one survived.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/kanpur-zoo-cctv-grab-brings-joy-shows-lioness-nandini-with-two-cubs/articleshow/58122937.cms|title=Kanpur zoo: CCTV grab brings joy, shows lioness Nandini with two cubs|date=11 April 2017|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref>

The zoo also claims that it holds the record of world's oldest living Royal Bengal Tiger,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Oldest-living-tiger-in-captivity-falls-sick-in-zoo/articleshow/28769036.cms|title=Oldest living tiger in captivity falls sick in zoo|date=14 January 2014|first=Abhinav|last=Malhotra|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref> guddu, who unfortunately succumbed to his failing vital health signs in late 2014 at the age of 26.

To feed the enormous number of its carnivorous inmates, Kanpur Zoo has a staggering consumption of 170 to 190 kilogram of meat per day.

[[File:Leopard Kanpur Zoo.JPG|thumb|left|Leopard]][[File:Chhajju Kanpur Zoo.JPG|thumb|left|Chhajju, a chimpanzee]][[File:Bird waiting for fish.jpg|thumb|left|Waiting for her breakfast to come...]]

==Attractions==

===Botanical garden===
The zoo houses a [[botanical]] garden with a collection of some of the country's rare species of plants that is dotted with sylvan lakes. The zoo grounds are also professionally maintained by [[forest]] [[conservation movement|conservationist]]s, and it records large attendance from all age groups and communities in Kanpur. It is a popular destination for picnics, nature walks, and outdoor recreation, as well as teaching school students about [[natural habitat]]s, [[environmental issues]], and responsible [[eco-friendly]] living.

'''<big>Butterfly Park</big>'''
[[File:Kanpur zoo butterfly park.jpg|thumb|Uttar Pradesh's first butterfly park|alt=]]

It was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore.
A total of 100 species of flowers including Calendula, Gulmehendi and Dahlia; have been planted in order to attract the butterflies.
By now, more than 50 species of butterflies have already been observed in the park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/kanpur-gets-its-first-butterfly-park201802030739260001/|title=Kanpur gets its first butterfly park|website=www.aninews.in|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref>

===Lake===
[[File:Kanpur zoo Lake1.jpg|thumb|Zoo lake as seen near the main entrance|alt=]]
[[File:Kanpur zoo lake2.jpg|thumb|Lake's view from the reserved forest area|alt=]]
[[File:Kanpur zoo lake 3.jpg|thumb|Lake's view near administrative block|alt=]]
[[File:Zoo Lake 4.jpg|thumb|Bridge over the lake]]
A rainwater lake is the centre of attraction at Allen Forest, and visitors can see hundreds of deer grazing in open [[savanna]]h-like land without fear of any predator. A total of 741 birds were spotted in the lake area which belonged to staggering 44 different species including [[Pied kingfisher|Pied Kingfisher]], [[Orange-headed thrush|orange headed thrush]], [[painted stork]]s, [[little egret]], [[great cormorant]], [[Asian openbill|open bill stork]], [[Black-headed ibis|black headed ibis]], waterhen, [[Eurasian teal|whistling teal]], [[Grey thornbill|grey hornbill]] to name a few.

Almost every year, bird watching festival is organised by Kanpur zoo wherein the nature lovers are given a unique experience of witnessing the zoo lake and its catchment area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/bird-watching-festival-organised-in-kanpur-zoo-741migratory-birds-sighted/photostory/50048225.cms|title=Bird watching festival organised in Kanpur zoo, 741 migratory birds sighted|date=2015-12-04|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref>

A national award-winning Hindi film "Anokha Aspatal" (1989) is entirely filmed in the picturesque, banks of lake surrounded by lush green forest. The camera captures shots of a variety of birds and animals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/state-editions/hindi-film-anokha-aspatal-screened.html|title=Hindi film 'Anokha Aspatal' screened|last=Pioneer|first=The|website=The Pioneer|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref>

===Aviary===
The Aviary includes birds from all over the world, including parrots, cranes, parakeets, emus from Australia and New Zealand, various Indian birds, as well as birds from Europe and Latin America.

===Night house===
Night creatures are housed in a separate building. These include porcupines, toddy cats ([[Asian palm civet]]), and other nocturnal animals.

===Aquarium===
[[File:Kanpur zoo aquarium.jpg|thumb|Main entrance of aquarium|alt=]]
The zoo includes an aquarium which charges a small fee of ₹10 for entry.

===Life size dinosaur sculptures===

There are life size [[sculpture]]s of pre-historic [[dinosaur]]s.

===Toy train===
[[File:Kanpur zoo Toy train station.jpg|thumb|Toy train station near the lion enclosure|alt=]]
[[File:Kanpur zoo toy train1.jpg|thumb|]]
In 2014 master plan, state government sanctioned about ₹12 crore (${{To USD |120000000|IND|round=yes}}) for the railway stations, tracks and the toy train. In the initial blueprint of the project, the forest would've suffered a huge loss of greenery.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/developmental-issues/Toy-train-in-Kanpur-zoo-at-the-cost-of-zoos-greenery-is-not-acceptable-say-nature-lovers/articleshow/21944886.cms ''Toy train in Kanpur zoo at the cost of zoo's greenery is not acceptable, say nature lovers''], ''[[The Times of India]]'', 21 August 2013</ref> But due to the conservation efforts by a leading English daily, the zoo administration took cognizance of the matter and the blueprint was revised.

==Conservation==
The zoo includes a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital that can treat several animals at a time, including [[hyena]], tiger, leopard, bear, elephant etc. that are brought into the zoo, usually after bad encounters with humans.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/3-leopard-cubs-rescued-sent-to-kanpur-zoo/articleshow/69135536.cms|title=3 leopard cubs rescued, sent to Kanpur zoo|date=2 May 2019|first=Harveer|last=Dabas|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref><ref name="timesofindia"/>

In 2014; except CNG vehicles, all petrol and diesel driven vehicles were banned inside the zoo,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Only-CNG-vehicles-to-get-entry-in-Kanpur-zoo/articleshow/37730266.cms|title=Only CNG vehicles to get entry in Kanpur zoo|date=4 July 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref> to curb noise and air pollution. Plastic water bottles and polythene bags are banned inside the zoo. Although photography is permitted. The zoo discourages visitors from feeding animals.

Zoo's current team of doctors; Dr.RK Singh, Dr.UC Srivastava and Dr.Mohd Nasir, have not only reduced the [[mortality rate]] of zoo to one of the lowest in the country but also have improvised novel methods of animal treatment published in globally acclaimed wildlife journals; such as remote cleaning of wound of rhinoceros using half horse power water pump, solution of [[Potassium permanganate (medical use)|2% potassium permanganate]] and 4% [[povidone-iodine]] solution for two hours daily; was published in [[Rhino Resource Centre]], sponsored by the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|World Wide Fund for nature (WWF)]], SOS Rhino and [[International Rhino Foundation]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/environment/flora-fauna/zoo-rhino-treatment-gets-rhino-resource-centre-recognition/articleshow/48448960.cms?from=mdr|title=Zoo rhino treatment gets Rhino Resource Centre recognition|last=Malhotra|first=Abhinav|date=2015-08-12|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-05-27}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://innohealthmagazine.com/issues/kanpur-zoo-adopts-innovative-methods-for-animal-health-management/|title=Animal Health Management|last=admin|date=2018-05-15|website=InnoHEALTH magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-27}}</ref>

Prevention of infection by confinement of the animal by making a coating of [[turmeric]] and the [[Ayurveda|ayurvedic]] antimicrobial agent on a leopard's tail, who was suffering from [[gangrene]] is another adroit accreditation to the zoo authorities. Further it prevented residual infection and helped in the healing of the tissue.<ref name=":0" />

Zoo vets had carried out a successful cosmetic surgery of a badly thrashed 15-feet long massive [[Python brongersmai|python]] and a [[Muntjac|barking deer's]] drooped lower jaw.<ref name=":0" />

Earlier, the zoo vets used [[Broodiness|broody]] hen for hatching of the eggs. But this process had its own limitations. To increase the number of chicks of [[Pheasant]]s, the Kanpur zoo administration has imported an automatic egg [[Incubator (culture)|incubator]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Bhakti-without-Borders-Bhajans/articleshow/50208678.cms|title=Automatic incubator to hatch pheasants' eggs in Kanpur zoo|date=16 December 2015|first=Abhinav|last=Malhotra|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref>

In a first of its kind initiative in the country, Kanpur Zoological Park developed an open ‘Raptor Restaurant’ with twin objectives of conserving the dying species of vulture, eagle, kites and crows besides utilising the leftover meat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/coming-soon-restaurant-for-vultures-eagles-and-crows-at-kanpur-zoo/story-ob9r8C51hojT8Q349HPfzH.html|title=Coming soon: Restaurant for vultures, eagles and crows at Kanpur zoo!|date=2017-09-28|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref>

Zoo vets performed a rare feat when they hand-reared 7 days old chicks of [[Barn owl|Barn Owl]] and [[Jungle owlet|Jungle Owl]] species, protected under the [[Wildlife Protection Act, 1972]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/now-kanpur-zoo-hand-rears-owl-chicks/articleshow/59521586.cms|title=Now, Kanpur zoo hand-rears owl chicks|date=10 July 2017|first=Abhinav|last=Malhotra|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref>

==Sponsors==
The zoo authorities encourage local Kanpur and [[Uttar Pradesh]] based industrialists and business owners to take interest in the development and preservation of the ecological heritage of the Kanpur Zoo and its potential for development as a rare natural habitat based zoo.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/HAL-adopts-tiger-chimpanzee-rhinoceros-at-Kanpur-zoo/articleshow/17700977.cms|title=HAL adopts tiger, chimpanzee, rhinoceros at Kanpur zoo|last=21 December 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-27}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan]]
*[[Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Prani Udyan]]
*[[Etawah Safari Park]]

==References==
{{Reflist |refs=



<ref name="maps_of_india">
{{Cite web
|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/kanpur/places-of-interest/allen-forest-zoo.html
|title=Allen Forest Zoo
|work=Mapsofindia.com
|publisher=Maps of India
|access-date=3 October 2010
}}</ref>



<ref name="timesofindia">
{{Cite web
|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-15/kanpur/28287582_1_kanpur-zoological-park-lucknow-zoo-hyena
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126041553/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-15/kanpur/28287582_1_kanpur-zoological-park-lucknow-zoo-hyena
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=26 January 2013
|title=Kanpur zoo playing saviour for injured wild animals
|last=Malhotra
|first=Abhina
|date=15 May 2010
|work=[[The Times of India]]
|access-date=3 October 2010
}}
</ref>

}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.kanpurzoo.org/zoo.php}}
*{{Commons category-inline|Kanpur Zoo}}
{{Kanpur}}
{{Zoos of India}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Zoos in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kanpur]]
[[Category:Botanical gardens in India]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Zoos established in 1971]]

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Kanpur Zoological Park