Nehru Zoological Park or Hyderabad zoo or simply Zoo Park, in Bahadurpura area of Hyderabad, Telangana; is a prime attraction not just for locals but also tourist visiting the city. Spread over 380 acres, it is home to more than 1500 animal species including birds, mammals, carnivores, herbivores, and reptiles of Indian as well as foreign origin. Located next to Mir Alam Tank, a lake spread over 600 acres; area around the zoo becomes a spectacle for bird watchers, when migratory birds flock to the lake during migration season. Tourists can also enjoy a boat ride on the lake for a ticket.
Named after late Prime Minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru; the zoo established in 1959; was opened for public viewing on 6 October 1963. It is home to some of the most endangered species of animals like Indian one horned rhino, Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, white tiger, panther, Indian elephant. Among the major attractions for visitors to the zoo is a ride on the toy train. The first Indian zoo to establish a lion safari in 1974; there is a safari park complex where daily tours are conducted, taking people to tour of enclosures housing some of the majestic animals like African/Asiatic lions, tigers, bear, bison and leopard.
Besides greenery of thousands of lush green trees; other attractions at the zoo include an aquarium, dino park, butterfly park and even a tortoise house where variety of tortoise can be seen. The zoo is home to various animals like Indian gaur, slender loris, python, crocodile, swamp deer, mouse deer, monkey, langur, antelope, bats, civets, wolf, leopard cats, hedgehogs, chinkara and more. It is also home to foreign animals like baboon, chimpanzee, giraffe, zebra, orangutan, hippopotamus, cheetah and Iguana. There are numerous varieties of birds including cuckoo, pelican, peacock, doves, owls, swan, egrets, hornbills, crows, ducks, parakeet, heron, and more. There is also nocturnal house built for nocturnal variety of animals.
The zoo has successfully carried out breeding programs of various endangered animals, many of whom were subsequently released in various national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. This includes a vulture breeding program, meant to help boost number of these critically endangered birds. The zoo charges entry fees for adults and children. Closed on Monday/holiday it remains open from 8 am to 5 pm on other days. It houses a museum where information about variety of animals is available. It also offers educational tours and talk shows on wildlife.
The zoo regularly exchanges its animals with other zoos across India and the world to bolster diversity of its animals. An adoption program allows people/corporates to adopt an animal/entire enclosure and taking care for their upkeep. There are several shops that selling refreshment to visitors. There are areas where arrangements have been made for people to sit and enjoy the surroundings. There is also facility of battery-operated vehicle and cycles to move around. The zoo is accessible from all parts of the city via taxi, bus and local train.