Arignar Anna Zoological Park

Arignar Anna Zoological Park, commonly known as Vandalur Zoo, is a large zoological park located in Vandalur, southwest of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Spread over about 602 hectares, it is one of the largest zoos in South Asia. Originally established in 1855 in Madras and relocated to Vandalur in 1985, it houses over 2,500 animals of more than 170 species in naturalistic, forested enclosures with safari zones and conservation facilities.

Visitors can expect a vast forested zoo with wide walking trails and naturalistic enclosures housing mammals, birds and reptiles including tigers, lions, elephants, leopards, deer and primates. The park offers lion and deer safari rides, battery-operated vehicle tours, bicycle rentals, an aquarium, butterfly house, and interpretation centres. The terrain is largely flat with shaded avenues, lakes and extensive green cover requiring considerable walking between enclosures.

Originally established in 1855 by Edward Balfour in Madras (near Park Town), it is considered one of the oldest zoos in India. Due to space constraints, the zoo was shifted to its present forested site at Vandalur Reserve Forest between 1979 and 1985 and opened to the public in 1985. It was named after former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai (Arignar Anna).

A major educational and recreational institution for Chennai and Tamil Nadu, the zoo plays a significant role in wildlife conservation, captive breeding, environmental education and awareness about South Indian fauna