"Encounter diverse wildlife in a natural setting."
Pune is a city where you would love the natural beauty and pleasant weather. Even though it is a small city, it has many places that are worth visiting. Among these places, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune is one of them. It is over 130 acres and is divided into three parts – the zoo, snake park, and an animal orphanage. It also has a lake. This place is also known to house a variety of animals, birds, and snakes that can awe people of any age.
History of Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune
In the year 1953, the Pune Municipal Corporation took 7 acres of land where they created Peshwe Park. This park was the place where the Peshwas had their Menagerie. During this time, the zoo had very limited animals and was kept behind bars or cages for the visitors to see. The park was located at the foot of the Parvati Hill which was an ideal location for people to visit.
However, in the year 1986, the Pune Municipal Corporation and Mr. Neelam Kumar Khaire, who became the first director of the park, created a snake park called the Katraj Snake Park which then became the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park.
In 1997, the Pune Municipal Corporation, in accordance with the Central Zoo Authority of India’s guidelines, created a new zoo within the Katraj Snake Park. This zoo was opened to the public in 1999 which came to be known as the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park & Wildlife Research Centre. During this time the zoo just housed reptile park, spotted deer, sambars, and monkeys. In 2005, the animals were moved to a different and bigger location and the Peshwe Park was closed.
The park also has a place for orphaned animals. These animals that were rescued were either injured or were orphaned. The park also has been running an adoption scheme for these animals since 2010.
Animals in the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune
When you visit the zoo, you will find around 66 species of wildlife that include birds, mammals, and reptiles. The zoo represents the Western Ghat and Deccan Plateau. The animals live in natural surroundings which makes the zoo closer to their home.
The snake park in the zoo has more than 160 species of snakes that also includes Kind Cobra. The other variety of snakes that are found in the park are Indian rock python, Russell’s viper, etc. During Nagpanchami, a festival of snakes, a special program is arranged by the zoo authorities in the snake park. This is an effort to create awareness of protecting the snakes. Apart from the snakes, the zoo houses a variety of animals such as leopards, Asiatic lion, blackbuck, sloth bears, Indian crocodiles, elephants, Indian star tortoise, etc.
The authorities of Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune are now planning to include animals such as Giraffe, Zebra, etc. The authorities also plan to include the white tiger, giant squirrel, rusty-spotted cat, leopard cat, mouse deer, lion-tailed macaque, hyena, etc. To help these animals to breed and protect the endangered species, they are planning to open an ex-situ breeding centre.
Activities in the Zoo
The Zoo authorities hold many activities to educate the people on the importance of preserving wildlife. These activities include Earth Day, Zoo Day, wildlife week, educational workshops for children, summer camps, etc. They also celebrate birthdays of all the animals that are housed in the zoo.
How to Reach the Zoo
The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune is located slightly outside the city. It is located close to the Bharati Vidyapeeth University along the Pune-Satara Highway. You can either hire a taxi or take your car to drive to the zoo. However, there are also buses available that take you to the closest bus station, Katraj Bus Depot.
Visiting Hours of the Zoo
The zoo is open from April 1 to June 15 from 9.30 am – 6 pm and from June 16 to March 31 from 9.30 am – 5 pm. The zoo entry fee is nominal and in case you want to take a camera, then you need to pay additional charges for the same. You can also hire a guide at a nominal rate while visiting the zoo. If you do not wish to walk within the zoo, then you can also hire a battery-operated vehicle.
Things to Do Near the Zoo
Once you have visited the zoo, you can also plan to visit the Katraj Lake, Shree Sainath mandir, Guru mandir, etc. There are also some restaurants and hotels that you can go to and enjoy some delicious cuisines.
Best Time to Visit the Zoo
The best time to visit the zoo is during pleasant weather. Though summers are also a good time to visit the zoo as you can see some animals. However, avoid visiting it during peak summers when the animals prefer to stay in the shade.
