Trivandrum Zoo: Ticket Price, Timing, Information

Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum is the capital of the beautiful state of Kerala, The Jewel of South India. Home to picturesque tour destinations that include temples, wildlife sanctuaries, palaces, mountains, and much more, the options for sightseeing in Trivandrum are galore. Just like many tourist attractions in God’s Own Country, Trivandrum Zoo is also visited by the locals of the place as well as those who have come to explore the state from other states and countries.

In this blog, you will find all the things you need to know about Thiruvananthapuram Zoo.

Trivandrum Zoo - Introduction

Trivandrum Zoo is the oldest zoo in India which is located at the heart of the Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram city. It was envisioned by the Maharaja of Travancore from 1830 to 1846, Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. In 1855, he formed a committee with General Cullen, a former British resident, as President, Elaya Raja as Vice President, himself as patron, and Mr Allen Brown (former Director of Thiruvananthapuram Observatory) as Secretary. The committee worked together and established a museum that was opened to the public in 1857. Two years later, a park and a zoo were added to it in 1859 with the objective to attract more visitors to the museum.

Originally opened for recreational purposes, with increasing concerns about animal welfare, Trivandrum Zoo now focuses on animal conservation. To encourage this, a modernisation project was started in 1995, which aims to replace the old, congested, bar-like enclosures with naturalistic spaces for the animals to live in. This project is handled by the Government of Kerala with the support of the Central Zoo Authority.

It is advisable to carry a map when visiting Trivandrum Zoo as it spans across a huge area. It is spread over a land of 55 acres and consists of woodland, lakes, and lawns.

Animals Collection

As is expected from a zoo, Trivandrum Zoo has a wide variety of animals under its shelter belonging to the following categories:

Mammals

Primates are human-like animals that are intelligent, live in social groups, and have opposable thumbs to grasp things. The zoo has species of primates such as Lion Tailed Macaques and Nilgiri Langurs on display. Other than that, Tvm Zoo has many species of herbivores living in it, which is a category of animals that eat plants. Some herbivore animals present at the zoo are Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, Deer (Sambar, Spotted, Barking, Hog), Barasingha, Nilgai, and Black Buck. The zoo also houses carnivore animals such as Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger, Panther, Jaguar, Bears, Jackals, and even the rare White Tiger.

Birds

Trivandrum Zoo is home to a wide variety of birds, both endemic and exotic. Waterbirds such as Storks, Pelicans, Herons, Ibis, and Cranes live here in a natural setting. You can see exotic birds such Macaws, Turacos, Cockatoos, and Ostriches here too. Raptors like Owls, Kiteeqaws, Eagles, and Vultures rapture children and adults alike.

Reptiles

Some people are scared of reptiles, while others are fascinated by them. In any case, they easily catch the attention of the visitors. Thiruvananthapuram Zoo has an enthralling collection of these cold-blooded animals that includes species such as Snakes, Lizards, Turtles, Tortoises, Crocodiles, and Alligators.

But these are animals we have often seen. What makes Tvm Zoo interesting is the presence of King Cobra and Green Anaconda.

So, if this is something that amazes you, don’t wait and plan a visit soon!

Butterflies

The zoo has a butterfly garden with more than a hundred species of butterflies, including the largest butterfly in India, the Southern Bird Wing butterfly.

Fish

Humans love fish among all aquatic animals. Some bring fish home as a pet, while others visit aquariums to watch these beautiful creatures swim and simply exist. What if we told you Trivandrum Museum and Zoo has a fish aquarium too? Being home to over 15 species of fish, the aquarium offers a visual delight to all.

Adoption

There are many animal lovers among us who have a desire to care for animals. Tvm Zoo gives such people an opportunity to adopt animals and take care of their well-being. People who are interested in adopting a particular animal can do so by means of contributing to the zoo, and that amount is used to support that particular animal. Individuals, corporations, schools, clubs or anyone can adopt an animal at the zoo for a specific period of time.

How to Reach the Zoo

The Temple City of Trivandrum could be easily reached by bus, train, and flight. Thiruvananthapuram Zoo and Museum is located right in the heart of the city of Thiruvananthapuram, making it easily accessible for people to reach here by buses, auto-rickshaws, and private taxis. It is located at a distance of 3 km from Thampanoor Bus Station, 3 km from Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, and 9 km from Trivandrum International Airport.

Ticket Price

There would be almost no impact on the pockets when you visit Trivandrum Zoo, as the entry fee is very low, priced at Rs 10. The fee for children between the age of 5 and 12 years is just Rs 5. What makes the entry fee better is the group discounts offered by the zoo. A family of mother, father and 2 children have to pay just Rs 25, while a group of as many as 35 students is allowed entry by just paying Rs 100.

However, the ticket price for car parking at Trivandrum Zoo is an expensive affair, costing Rs 150 for a vehicle.

Timings

The timings of the day allow for a perfect 1-day picnic for families and school groups. On all days except Wednesdays, the opening time of Thiruvananthapuram Zoo is 10 am. On Wednesdays, the zoo opens at 1 pm. Once inside the place, visitors can enjoy there till 5 pm as the zoo closes at that time. However, the entry ticket is sold only till 4.30 pm, so even if you’re running late, make sure you reach the zoo before this time.

The zoo is closed for the public on Mondays.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Trivandrum Museum and Zoo is during the winter months from November to February, as it is easier to step outdoors during the day in these months. It is not recommended to visit the zoo during peak summer and monsoon, as these weathers are not ideal for an open-air picnic.

Other Attractions in Trivandrum

Beautiful as the city is, there is no dearth of sightseeing places in Thiruvananthapuram. From beaches to temples, Trivandrum has a lot to keep different types of tourists engaged. Here are the top tourist destinations in Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram:

• Kovalam Beach
• Poovar Island
• Padmanabha Swamy Temple
• Vizhinjam Lighthouse
• Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
• Shanghumukham Beach

If you wish to explore the Evergreen City of India, Thiruvananthapuram, the best way to go would be to book a travel package. Choose a travel partner that allows you to customise your itinerary to include Trivandrum Zoo and other places that you wish to visit.