The Central Zoo, only zoo of Nepal, was established by late Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumser in 1932 as a private Zoo. With the political changes in 1950, the ownership of the private Zoo came under the Government of Nepal. Over the years, the management of the Zoo remained under various Departments of the Government. On the auspicious occasion of the Golden Jubilee Birthday Celebration of the Late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah in December 1995, the Government of Nepal formally entrusted overall management responsibility of the Central Zoo to the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) for 30 years.

The Trust is an autonomous, non-profit making organization, established in 1982 by Legislative Act to work in the field of biodiversity with the peoples participation.

The Central Zoo at present aims at developing it as a centre for recreation, conservation education and wildlife research within the given ideology of modern zoo philosophy. However, the Zoo is also a site of historical and cultural significance for multi-ethnic communities where every year more than a million visitors visit it. In festival like Bhoto Jatra, tens of thousands of visitors visit Zoo in a day. Moreover, with added animals of various species every year has remained attraction to people living far and near. At present the Central Zoo has housed a total of 1,013 individual animals representing 116 different species of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Big mammals like tiger, rhino and hippo are the major attraction to the visitors. The central zoo is not only the place to see wildlife and recreational center but is also site of historical and cultural significance for diverse  groups of people.

“The future of human kind greatly depends on the extensive and effective environment and conservation education. The zoo of the world have the unique role to play in the global effort to educate people” (The world zoo conservation strategy) thus NTNC is committed to develop the central zoo as a center of excellence for “Conservation  Education and Wildlife Research”

Animals at the Central Zoo:

The central zoo covers an area of six hectares. Zoo have the collection of some 957 animals and 119 species. Among these 33 are mammals, 61 birds and 8 reptiles and 17 fish species. The central zoo exhibits 15 out of 38 endangered animal species of Nepal. They are exhibited in spacious enclosures, which simulate their habitats. The central zoo has initiated an animal exchange program with some zoos abroad and has brought some exotic wildlife species such as Siamang, Ostrich, Hippopotamus and some other bird species which are being displayed successfully.

Animal Sponsership:

Under the zoo animal welfare scheme, the zoo has already started an Animal Sponsorship program since 1997. This program is mainly to support animal feeding. The sponsorship cost varies according to the species, number and enclosure size. The sponsorship program will allow the sponsors to earn an appreciation from the million visitors through advertising their name at designated place provided by the zoo.

Conservation Education:

The zoo annually receives one million visitors and is imparting Conservation Education to over 200,000 students. The central zoo offers two types of conservation Education Programs; i) based on school request and ii) based on membership (friends of the Zoo)

On school’s request, Central Zoo also offers some programs to non-member students such as; slide video shows, zoo guided tour and zoo volunteer program.

Friends of the Zoo (FOZ) is a membership based on Conservation Education program of the Central Zoo. Central zoo organizes yearly scheduled conservation educational activities to the FOZ members. It aims to raise awareness about Nature and Wildlife Conservation and issues concerning of this program is open to all national, international, individuals, families and students.

 
Children Park:

Treat you children to a day of great fun at children Park. There is never a dull moment at Children Park. Your children can amuse themselves on slides and swings, can take train ride and thrill of excitement in a round Funny Temple.

 
Zoo Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm
Location: Jawalakhel, Lalitpur.
Additional Attraction for Summer
Fishing at the zoo pond from April to October.

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