Karachi Zoo

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Karachi Zoo

Of all the places to visit in Karachi with family, the Karachi Zoo remains as one of the most popular hangout spots – and for a good reason. Also known as the Karachi Zoological Gardens, this famous tourist attraction in the City of Lights covers an area of 33 acres and is one of the largest zoos in Pakistan. It is also the second-oldest zoo in the country, constructed only six years after the renowned Lahore Zoo.

Karachi Zoo History

Karachi Zoo opened its doors to the public in 1878 and was named the ‘Mahatma Gandhi Garden’ in 1913. Interestingly, according to historians, the site where the zoo is presently located used to house a factory belonging to the East India Company back in 1833.

Following the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the name of Gandhi Garden Karachi was officially changed to Karachi Zoological Gardens, more commonly referred to as Karachi Zoo.

In 1952, an aquarium by the name of ‘Machli Ghar’ was established inside the zoo. A year later, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) introduced the positions for a zoo curator and a veterinary doctor to ensure the animals remained healthy and disease-free. In 1991, the city government took on the remodelling of the Natural History Museum located inside the Karachi Zoo, which was inaugurated by the Japanese Princess in 1992. The Reptile House inside this zoo in Karachi was also extended and renovated the same year.

Timings

You can visit Karachi Zoo between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.

Although the zoo is open Seven Days a week, the Wednesdays are reserved for women and children only.

Ticket Prices

The entrance fee for Karachi Zoo is PKR 30/-

Areas & Attractions

Animals

Animals are obviously the biggest attraction of any zoo.

This zoo in Karachi is home to more than 800 animals, including 80 different species of mammals, 460 birds and more than 200 reptiles.

Some of the most prominent animals in Karachi Zoo include two female African bush elephants named ‘Noor Jahan’ and ‘Madhu Bala,’ white Lions purchased in 2012, along with a male Asian black bear and a female Syrian brown bear purchased in 2017. Some of the other animals inside the zoo include lions, Bengal tiger, jackal, spotted hyenas, Arabian Oryx, Bactrian camel, deer, giraffe, zebras, llamas, and baboons, to name a few.

On 15 March 2017, two new bears were welcomed to the zoo, a male Asian black bear and a female Syrian brown bear

Elephant House
Is the most famous exhibit in the zoo. A 65-year-old Asian elephant, named 'Anarkali', died on 19 July 2006. Two female African bush elephants arrived at the zoo on 16 May 2010 from Karachi Safari Park. Both were born in Tanzania in 2007 and have been named 'Noor Jahan' and 'Madhu Bala'.

Natural History Museum
Renovated in 1992, is one of the more famous attractions in Karachi Zoo. Apart from stuffed animals, skins, antlers, horns and feathers etc. are also placed on display in the museum. The facility is used by zoology students for research and educational purposes.

Reptile House
was extended and renovated in 1992. It is one of the few reptile houses in Pakistan. There are 13 species of snakes and lizards. Newly born hatchlings of testudines and crocodilians are also exhibited.

Mughal Garden
Established in 1970, has green lawns with seasonal plants that occupy a major part of the garden accompanied with Mughal-style fountains. The garden is famous for different varieties of roses and other flowers that are exhibited there.

White Lions
Purchased in 2012 and a big draw for the zoo, are a part of a breeding programme.

Veterinary Hospital
was established in 1998 in Karachi Zoo with modern diagnostic facilities. There is an operation theatre, equipped with X-ray and sonogram facilities, multiple sick bays, a laboratory and an incubation room.

Karachi Municipal Aquarium
Karachi Municipal Aquarium was constructed in 1953. Located inside the Karachi Zoo, the aquarium has a total of 28 tanks which contain a total of around 300 fishes of about 30 species

Karachi Zoo

Karachi Zoo History

Timings

Ticket Prices

Animals

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