Alipore Zoo, also known as the Zoological Garden, Kolkata, is India's oldest formally stated zoological park and a major tourist attraction in Kolkata, West Bengal. Spread over 46.5 acres, it houses a diverse collection of over 1,200 animals from around the world, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish. The zoo is renowned for its conservation efforts and educational programs, providing visitors with insights into wildlife and the importance of biodiversity.
Established in 1876, the Alipore Zoo has a rich history dating back to the British Raj. It was initially conceived as a menagerie by Carl Louis Schwendler, an engineer with the East India Railway Company. Over the decades, the zoo expanded significantly, acquiring new animals and developing modern enclosures to provide better living conditions for its inhabitants. It played a crucial role in breeding endangered species like the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros.