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Language: English
Nandankanan Zoological Park, India, is one of the finest large zoos of the country and it spreads over an area 362 ha. Nandankanan houses a number of free living animal species besides 120 species of animals in captivity. The zoo, which was established on 29th December, 1960, now attracts more than two millions visitors a year. Nandankanan enjoys a special place of ex-situ conservation of wildlife in India.
Nandankanan is situated between 20° 23’ 08'' to 20°24’10'' Northern latitude and 85°48’09'' to 85°48'13'' Eastern longitude. It is located at a distance of 17 km from Cuttack and 20 km from Bhubaneswar by road. At present, the zoological park has 101 enclosures (202 sub-enclosures). It houses 120 species of animals which include 40 species of mammals, 56 species of birds and 24 species of reptiles. There are more than 1 580 animals including 634 mammals, 812 birds and 134 reptiles. Eighty eight indigenous species along with 32 exotic species of animals add glory to the collection of Nandankanan Zoological Park. The animal collection includes 14 species of endangered mammals, 6 species of endangered birds and 10 species of endangered reptiles listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Nandankanan is the only zoo in India with the credit of having Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas), Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximus) and Open-billed Stork (Anastomus oscitans).
The present publication on the animal diversity of Nandankanan during the golden jubilee year of the Zoological Park will provide an excellent opportunity to know about the living world and also to create awareness amongst the public towards conservation of wildlife.
