Central Zoo

In 1995, Government of Nepal entrusted the management of Nepal’s Central Zoo, the only zoo in Nepal, located at Jawalakhel in the Kathmandu Valley to NTNC for 30 years. Established as a private zoo in 1932 by the late Rana Prime Minister Juddha Samsher, it came under the ownership of Government of Nepal after the political changes of 1950 and remained under the management of various government departments before it’s management was handed over to NTNC on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Birthday Celebration of the Late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah in December 1995.

The Trust aims to develop the Central Zoo as a center for ex-situ wildlife research and conservation education. The Central Zoo, with an area of about 6 ha., provides shelter to a total of 870 individual mammal, bird, fish and reptile of 109 species. It also serves as recreational center for the visitors. Central Zoo uniquely serves as a historical cultural site for diverse groups of people.

Over one million visitors come to enjoy the displays at the Central Zoo annually. The main source of income has been the revenue collected from the entry ticket sales. With an aim of generating public awareness and participation in nature and wildlife conservation, the Central Zoo has been successfully running a special membership based program called the “Friends of Zoo” (FOZ) with a network of schools in Kathmandu Valley. The animal management unit is improving and enriching the enclosures to provide better habitats for the zoo animals and are now in a better situation with the operation of a recently established “Animal Hospital”. New displays, of national and international species, are often added in order to educate and to introduce the visitors to the different wild species from within the country and abroad.

Note:

• The Central Zoo opens 1000 – 1700 hours from Sunday to Saturday.
• Fishing is open from 1st of Chaitra till 30th of Kartik
• Use of Plastic bags is prohibited