Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur Zoo)

Arignar Anna Zoological Park is a Tamil Nadu government-run zoological park recognised by the Central Zoo Authority of India as one of the best-managed zoos in the country, working on wildlife conservation, breeding of endangered species, and public education. Originally established in 1855 as the Madras Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in India, the park relocated to its present site in Vandalur in 1985 and today spans over 600 hectares, ranking among the largest zoological parks in South Asia. It houses several hundred species of mammals, birds, and reptiles, including tigers, lions, elephants, and rhinoceroses. The park operates a dedicated wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre, a serpentarium, an aquarium, and India's first captive amphibian display, alongside active captive-breeding programmes for endangered species. It also runs structured education initiatives such as the Zoo Ambassador programme, introducing school students to wildlife biology and conservation practice. The park has received national recognition including the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar for conservation work and scored among the highest in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's zoo management effectiveness evaluation. It is affiliated with the Central Zoo Authority of India and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.