The Arignar Anna zoological park, commonly called Vandalur zoo or the Vandaloor zoo, is India’s first public zoological park. It also happens to be the largest zoological park in India spanning a massive area of 602 hectares or 1,490 acres. It also includes a dedicated area of 92.45 hectares or 228.4 acres of land for the rescue and rehabilitation center, which isn’t accessible to the public. This rescue center houses wild animals that were caught and rescued in human habitats. News of snakes being rescued by the forest officers and sent to the Vandalur zoo are more common.
The zoo is located on the outskirts of Chennai at Vandalur, in the district of Chengalpattu. It is easily accessible from any direction, due to the robust public transport network. A single train commute can connect the Vandalur railway station with the Chennai Airport, Chennai central, and Chengalpattu railway stations. However, buses can be a better option to reach the zoo from close proximity since the Vandalur zoo is 1.5 KMs away from the zoo and buses stop right in front of the zoo’s main entrance. Refer to this post to know more about reaching the Vandalur zoo, using various modes of transport for your convenience.
Timings.
The zoo usually operates every day except for Tuesdays from 09:00 A.M. to 05:00 P.M. There are some special cases to be considered on public holidays and other factors for you to check if the zoo is open or closed on a specific day. Check out the vandalur zoo timings for more information.
Ticket price.
Ticket prices are quite low for entry into the zoo, though the price varies depending on age, physicality, and nationality. Check out the ticket prices for entry to the vandalur zoo, before making a plan to visit the park. The camera tickets are also sold exclusive of the entry ticket price. The bicycles and battery vehicle services are charged inside the zoo for visitors opting in for those options.
Parking.
Parking space for visitor vehicles is provided inside the zoo’s premises. Traveling on own vehicle or in rental vehicles would be more convenient for families and groups. Especially if visiting the zoo is just a part of bigger tour plans. The parking fees are charged on an hourly/daily basis.
Transport.
There are multiple modes of transport to reach the zoo from different directions. People coming from Tambaram/Chennai or Chengalpattu can use either trains, buses, or other road transport, while people coming from Mamallapuram direction can only use road transport.
Food inside vandalur zoo.
Outside food is totally allowed inside the zoo, as long as they are not carried in plastic bags. Besides this, there are multiple food stalls placed all over the zoo that sells snacks and beverages. Water bottles are available at every one of these stalls, which costs ₹30 including ₹10 refundable deposit when you return the bottle at any of those stalls.
Also, there is a restaurant inside the zoo, right at the beginning of the trail. It is near the ticket counters. The restaurant serves meals, beverages, and ice-creams.
Adding to that, it is a prohibited practice to feed the zoo animals, since those animals have their scheduled diet and outside food might harm them. Kindly refrain yourselves from attempting to feed the animals.
Vandalur zoo map.
Check the map of the Arignar Anna zoological park trail at their official site.
Live stream.
The Vandalur zoo’s official website streams live footage of 15 animal habitats. These are 24-hour streams. Each of these select 15 habitats has a static camera fixed at a position, where the animal inside that habitat is expected to stay for the most part of the day. But, it is never certain that you could watch the animal in view at any given point in time.
