Central Zoo

The Central Zoo (सदर चिडियाखाना) is a 6 ha zoo in Jawalakhel, Nepal. It is home to some 969 animals in 109 species, and is operated by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). Although it was originally a private zoo, it was opened to the public in 1956.

During the Bhoto Jatra festival, celebrated near the zoo, the zoo may see upwards of 34,000 visitors in a single day after they come to see a historical jeweled vest at the culmination of the Rato Machchhindranath Jatra.

History
The Central Zoo was established in 1932 by Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumser as a private zoo; it came under government control in 1950. It was built under the engineering and project management of General Maheshwar Shamshere Rana (PM Juddha Shamshere's grandson) and his handpicked skilled and unskilled workforce. It was opened to the public in 1956, and in December 1995, the government handed over responsibility of the zoo to the National Trust for Nature Conservation. Although work is not complete, the NTNC has been upgrading the facilities so that animals can live in larger enclosures that simulate their natural environment. It is also working towards turning the zoo into a research and educational facility, as well as remaining a tourist attraction.

The central pond at the zoo was built during the rule of King Siddhi Narsingh Malla, and at one time was the source of water for Patan.

Animals


The zoo is home to about 870 animals in 109 species, including 15 of 38 endangered local species including Royal Bengal tigers and one-horned rhinoceros, as well as many animals from around the world including hippos, siamang, ostriches, chimpanzee, lemur, and many birds. It also has an aquarium for subtropical fish.

Mammals
Mammals at the zoo include:


 * Asian elephant
 * Rhesus macaque
 * common langur
 * Vervet monkey
 * Patas monkey
 * Mona monkey
 * siamang
 * chimpanzee
 * spotted deer
 * sambar deer
 * four-horned antelope
 * Wild boar
 * Sloth bear
 * Indian Leopard
 * Clouded leopard
 * large Indian civet
 * Common palm civet
 * Himalayan palm civet
 * Northern palm squirrel
 * red panda
 * Indian Muntjac
 * Indian hog deer
 * blackbuck
 * Nilgai or blue bull
 * Himalayan goral
 * crested porcupine
 * Himalayan black bear
 * Himalayan blue sheep
 * Hippopotamus
 * Golden jackal
 * Jungle cat
 * leopard cat
 * Indian Rhinoceros
 * Bengal tiger
 * swamp deer
 * Indian palm squirrel
 * Wild water buffalo

Reptiles
Reptiles at the zoo include:
 * Aldabra tortoise
 * rock python
 * kusum
 * Chinese alligator
 * Mugger Crocodile
 * Gharial
 * monitor lizard
 * Yellow-headed temple turtle, Indotestudo elongata
 * Indian roofed turtle, Kachuga tectum
 * Tricarinate hill turtle, Melanochuelys tricarinata
 * Pond turtle, Melanochelys trijuga

Birds
Birds at the zoo include:
 * Grey parrot
 * Peacock
 * Albino Peacock
 * Himalayan monal
 * speckled pigeon
 * Fantail pigeon
 * Java sparrow
 * Guinea fowl
 * Common quail
 * black-necked stork
 * black-headed ibis
 * Lady Amherst pheasant
 * Ring-necked pheasant
 * Golden pheasant
 * Reeve's pheasant
 * kalij pheasant
 * silver pheasant
 * Common ostrich
 * bar-headed goose
 * grey heron
 * Himalayan griffon vulture
 * Black kite
 * Common kestrel
 * Great horned owl
 * Barn owl
 * dusky eagle owl
 * Eurasian eagle owl
 * sarus crane
 * White-naped crane
 * Common crane
 * Demoiselle crane
 * Oriental pied hornbill
 * Spoon bill
 * Chukar partridge
 * Myna
 * Lesser whistling duck
 * Blue rock pigeon
 * blue-and-yellow macaw
 * Rainbow lorikeet
 * white pelican
 * sulphur crested cockatoo
 * Salmon-crested cockatoo
 * white cockatoo
 * love bird
 * Chestnut munia
 * Spotted munia
 * Red munia
 * Indian silverbill
 * satyr tragopan
 * zebra finch
 * rose-ringed parakeet
 * Alexandrine parakeet
 * Red-breasted parakeet
 * white stork
 * Greylag goose
 * ruddy shelduck
 * Comb duck
 * wood duck
 * cockatiel
 * lesser adjutant
 * common emerald dove
 * emu

Central Zoo animal overview
Animals in the Central Zoo of Nepal are in the following categories and numbers, :

Other facilities
The zoo includes a library, a children's small fun park, picnic areas and paddle boats on the lake. Fishing is allowed in the lake during some parts of the year.