Special Attractions

Spotted deer resting in the shade at Vandalur Zoo

01Wildlife

Lion & Deer Safari

Big cats and deer roaming near-natural surroundings.

  • Lion safari
  • Deer safari
  • Tiger & Gaur safari planned
  1. The method of exhibiting animals in modern zoological parks has evolved so that animals are shown in near-natural surroundings.
  2. Exhibition has moved through the stages of cages and island enclosures, and later evolved into safari parks.
  3. Not only do the animals enjoy their freedom in the environment, it also gives a thrilling experience to visitors.
  4. The park has a lion and deer safari for visitors, and plans to establish a new safari for tigers and gaur in the coming years.
Green pathway inside the walk-through aviary at Vandalur Zoo

02Birds

Walk-Through Aviary

Walk among free-flying birds under 15-metre-tall nets.

  • Opened 2010
  • 1.5 acres
  • 15 m fences
  1. Opened in 2010 as the Bio Centre, it is spread over 1.5 acres.
  2. Fences 15 metres tall let the birds fly freely within the area.
  3. It supports 22 tree and shrub species, including fruit trees such as mango, pomegranate, guava, sapota, jamun and Singapore cherry for fruit-eating birds.
  4. The aviary has a mud bath for the birds, as well as artificial waterfalls.
  5. Spot your favourite bird, and we have got more surprises for you.
Herbarium cabinets in a natural history museum

03Discover

Forest Museum

Herbarium, insectarium, rocks, seeds and artifacts.

  • Herbarium
  • Insectarium
  • On your way out
  1. Sections for the herbarium, insectarium, portraits, soils, rocks, seeds, artifacts and more have been set up for display in the museum.
  2. It is arranged so that every visitor passes through the museum while exiting the zoo.
The shark-shaped aquarium building at Vandalur Zoo

04Discover

Aquarium

A shark-shaped aquarium set amid a pond.

  • Shark-shaped
  • 31 fish species
  • Renovated
  1. The shark-modelled aquarium, with its entrance and exit in the form of the shark's gills, is set amid a pond.
  2. It houses 31 species of ornamental fish.
  3. The interior of the aquarium has been renovated.
A slender loris on a branch at night

05Wildlife

Nocturnal Animal House

A cave-like home for the creatures of the night.

  • Cave-style
  • Slender loris
  • Owls
  1. The Nocturnal Animal House is a cave-modelled enclosure suited to housing night animals.
  2. The park is re-establishing it with a new enclosure under CSR funding.
  3. Slender loris, porcupines, civet cats and owls are its star attractions.
A king cobra raising its head

06Wildlife

Reptile Section

From tortoises to king cobras and crocodiles.

  • All 5 reptile groups
  • Snake-shaped serpentarium
  • Gharial gallery
  1. The zoo's reptile section exhibits all five groups of reptiles.
  2. It begins with turtles and tortoises and ends with crocodiles.
  3. The serpentarium is built in the shape of a snake, with glass viewing, and is one of the top-rated serpentariums in the country.
  4. It exhibits venomous and non-venomous snakes and exotic lizards.
  5. The anaconda and king cobra enclosures and the underwater gharial gallery are visitor favourites.
A parent and child in 3D glasses in a 7D cinema

07Family

7D Theatre

An immersive show with seats that move with the story.

  • 32 seats
  • ₹120 per person
  • TANII project
  1. The 7D Theatre is a modern attraction designed to give visitors an immersive entertainment experience.
  2. It was built with funding from the TANII project.
  3. The theatre seats 32 people.
  4. Tickets cost ₹120 per person.
Two blue-and-gold macaws facing each other

08Birds

Exotic Birds

Macaws, cockatoos and a riot of colour.

  • Macaws
  • Cockatoos
  • Cockatiels
  1. AAZP exhibits a fine collection of exotic birds, including sub-species of macaws, cockatiels, cockatoos, parrots and many other colourful birds.
A bird among the high nets of the walk-through aviary at Vandalur Zoo

09Birds

Walk-Through Aviary: Biocentre

Around 50 birds flying, preening and nesting freely.

  • ~50 birds
  • Free flight
  • Breeding
  1. Around 50 birds of different species live here, including the Alexandrine parakeet, rose-ringed parakeet, blue rock pigeon, common myna, Indian koel, common babbler, white-browed, red-vented and red-whiskered bulbuls, pipit, little brown dove and spotted dove.
  2. The walk-through aviary creates a natural environment, allowing the birds to fly around freely.
  3. In this large enclosure the birds can be seen in flight and preening their wings, and breeding also takes place here.
  4. Visitors can walk through the enclosure and observe the birds and their interesting behaviour.
A plain tiger butterfly feeding on a pink flower

10Discover

Butterfly Park

Nectar gardens and a caterpillar-shaped conservatory.

  • 2.7 hectares
  • 60 m conservatory
  • Near Otteri Lake
  1. The butterfly park lies near Otteri Lake, in the western part of the zoo.
  2. Nectar and host-plant gardens and an indoor conservatory are spread over a well-fenced 2.7 hectares.
  3. The caterpillar-shaped conservatory is 60 m long, 26 m wide and 6 m high, with a white polycarbonate roof that lets natural sunlight through.
  4. Predator- and insect-proof stainless steel mesh surrounds it, and a double-door system keeps the butterflies in.
  5. Gardens outside supply breeding material to the conservatory.
  6. Butterflies are vital pollinators of wild and cultivated plants, and the park inspires visitors to become future custodians of nature.
  7. Common Mormon, Emigrant, Plain Tiger, Striped Tiger and Glossy Blue Tiger are commonly seen here.
Children playing on a slide in a park

11Family

Children's Park

A FunZone where kids play and parents take a breather.

  • FunZone
  • Kid-safe
  • Near the BOV counter
  1. A FunZone keeps children engaged near the battery vehicle ticket counter.
  2. The Children's Park is a kid-friendly play area where parents can take a breather after a day exploring wildlife and nature.
  3. It has all the amenities to keep kids entertained, with safety measures in place. Why not let your kids have their day out too?
Herons perched inside a bird enclosure at Vandalur Zoo

12Birds

Forest Birds

Birds of the forest floor and canopy.

  • Terrestrial birds
  • Exhibits upgrading
  1. The zoo exhibits various forest birds that live in terrestrial habitats.
  2. The park is upgrading the infrastructure of the forest bird exhibits.
Painted storks wading in water at Vandalur Zoo

13Birds

Wetland Aviary

Storks and waders of Point Calimere and Vedantangal.

  • ~25 species
  • Natural breeding
  • Released to the wild
  1. The park exhibits the Point Calimere and Vedantangal bird aviaries, with around 25 species of wetland birds.
  2. Nesting material is provided during the breeding season, and the birds breed naturally.
  3. Surplus birds are released into the wild after permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden.