Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur Zoo)
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Upcoming at Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur Zoo)
About Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur Zoo)
Arignar Anna Zoological Park, known to everyone as Vandalur Zoo, is Chennai's zoo and one of the largest in India, spread over 602 hectares of scrub forest at Vandalur, about 32 km south-west of the city centre. It traces its origins to the Madras zoo founded in 1855 and moved to this site in 1985. Animals are kept in large open, moated enclosures, and the park includes a lion safari over about 20 hectares, a deer park, a walk-through aviary and a nocturnal animal house. Battery-operated vehicles and cycles can be hired to get around, which matters given the distances. The zoo is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance. It is exceptionally busy on Kaanum Pongal.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Vandalur Zoo timings?
8:30 am to 5:30 pm. The zoo is closed on Tuesdays.
How far is Vandalur Zoo from Chennai?
About 32 km from the city centre, on GST Road beyond Tambaram.
How do I reach Vandalur Zoo by train?
Take a suburban train on the Beach–Tambaram–Chengalpattu line to Vandalur station, then an auto or a short walk to the gate.
Is there a safari at Vandalur Zoo?
Yes, there is a lion safari and a deer park inside the zoo, operated in the zoo's own vehicles.
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