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Lahore is known as the “city of gadens,” and over the years authorities have ensured that parks across the metropolis are well maintained and well kept. Just like Shalimar Gardens, Jallo Park, and Jinnah Park, Lahore Zoo is one of the most famous places in Lahore that offer open, lush green spaces. It is purportedly the oldest zoo in the subcontinent and it houses a wide range of animals and birds. If you are in Lahore, you should, at least once, pay a visit to this place, especially if you have young kids. Let’s explore why you should visit Lahore Zoo in this blog.
History Of Lahore Zoo
Lahore Zoo was established in 1872 after Lala Mela Ram donated the aviary. The construction for this started in the 1860’s. From 1872 to 1921, it remained under the management of Lahore Municipal Committee, before being transferred to Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner, Lahore, and was managed through a Zoo Advisory Committee until 1962. Soon after this, its management was placed with the West Pakistan Agriculture Department and later on with the Livestock and Dairy Development Department. Finally, the management of Lahore Zoo was entrusted to the Wildlife & Parks Department in 1982 and is presently governed by the Zoo Management Committee (ZMC) of Lahore Zoo constituted under Punjab Zoos & Safari Parks Rules 2012.
Since its transfer to the Wildlife Department in 1982, a number of major changes in the exhibits, the layout of buildings, the landscape pattern and the administration have taken place. With these initiatives and development work, the Lahore Zoo has become a self-financed organization meeting all its expenditures from its own resources.
It is the place families throng to during weekends, public holidays, and especially winter and summer breaks. Lahore Zoo hosts over 4.5 million people annually, and this comes as no surprise as on any given day you’ll see that it offers clean and green spaces, properly-built walkways, canteen facilities, and a host of refreshments — all to ensure all visitors have a good time.
Timings Of Lahore Zoo
Planning a weekend trip but don’t know about the timings of Lahore Zoo? Well, you can visit anytime between 9:00 AM to sunset. This means that the time limit would definitely change from summers to winters. Other than this, you can visit the zoo seven days a week.
Lahore Zoo Ticket Price
With a small fee, you can enter a magical world of beings where your children can explore a jungle full of animal species, in a controlled environment, with name tags and other details. This is a fun learning experience through and through. Lahore Zoo entry fees are as follows:
- Adult: PKR 40/-
- Children: PKR 20/-
- Students (group of 50): PKR 600/-
- Students (group of 100): PKR1000/-
- Differently-abled children do not have to pay any fee. The zoo ensures all children have fun, and the wide walkways and open spaces are sure to make any child feel at ease.
- Children below 3 years of age and senior citizens (above 60 years of age) also do not have to pay any fee.
A dedicated parking area also allows for easy access. The parking fees are as follows:
- Bus: Rs.50/- each
- Car: Rs.20/- each
- Motorcycle / Rickshaw: Rs.10/- each
- Cycle: Rs.05/- each
Lahore Zoo Location
Lahore Zoo, although archaic, has somehow managed to remain in the heart of the city – on main Mall Road. It shares a wall (or green belt) with Jinnah Park, and in a single trip you can explore both rare plant and animal species on either side of the fence. Its location allows people to visit the place quite regularly and easily.
Mall Road is one of the oldest and most popular roads in Lahore. It houses most of the government buildings and government employees’ houses and goes all the way to Old Lahore as well. Lahore Zoo is on the opposite side of Alhamra Arts Council, another prominent attraction on Mall Road.
Apart from this, Lahore Zoo is only 3 km from Lahore Railway Station Road, and 4 km from General Bus Stand.
Lahore Zoo Contact Details
You can contact Lahore Zoo by writing an email at lahorezoo@gmail.com, or calling at 04236314684 and 04236314682
Main Features Of Lahore Zoo
Now, let’s see what the zoo looks like and what it has to offer to visitors.
Animals
Presently, Lahore Zoo houses about 1200 animals of 120 species, including a number of primates, big cats, deer, antelope, ratites, reptiles and birds. Lahore Zoo can boast of a collage of old and young trees; 900 trees of 60 species make the environment worth living and visiting; a complete ecosystem with at least 30 wild birds species at one time and about 100 species during the year besides the small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and the invertebrates.
Apart from seeing and learning about the animals, children can enjoy animal rides as well. This includes horseback riding, camel rides, and mechanical elephant rides. Till a few years ago, Lahore Zoo’s famous elephant Suzi would give all visiting children a ride around the zoo. She was a regular attraction that drew crowds of children for about 25 years. She died in May 2017.
Reptile House
As the name suggests, all kinds of reptiles are kept in the Reptile House. Here you’ll find crocodiles, species of snakes, tortoises, lizards etc. There is a separate Snake House where you can see different species of snakes kept inside glass walls.
Animal Museum
This museum is located in the Reptile House of Lahore Zoo. The collection comprises stuffed specimens of tigers, leopard, puma, gavials, pelican, flamingoes, and many more. This is an area of Lahore Zoo that you should most definitely visit.
Apart from the animals, Lahore Zoo also holds regular drawing competitions, there is face painting, and jumping castle. A few carnival games can also be found from time to time.
Foster An Animal Of Your Choice
According to the Lahore Zoo website, anyone can become a proud parent of a Lahore Zoo animal today by adopting an animal.
The administration of Lahore Zoo has introduced an adoption program, whereby, people, corporations or other organizations can adopt the animal(s) of their choice. In exchange, you’ll get the following for being a certified animal parent:
- Recognition certificate
- Zoo Education Material
- Free visit of Lahore Zoo during adoption period
- Adopters name plates/messages will be displayed at the cage/enclosure.
This initiative aims to encourage citizens to contribute to the massive PKR 23 million annual expenditure of taking care of the animals. After adoption, the foster parents are expected to bear the cost of feeding expenses of the animal for that particular time period.
Lahore Zoo is inarguably one of the best zoos in the country. All animals are properly taken care of. You’ll see zoologists paying a visit to the animals on a regular basis as well.
If you’ve ever been to Lahore Zoo, tell us your experience by writing at blog@zameen.com. Also keep checking Pakistan’s best property blog, Zameen Blog, for the latest updates on Pakistan’s real estate sector.
