NANDANKANAN ZOO
Location : In Chandaka Forest, 25-km from Bhubaneswar, Orissa
Houses : A Botanical Garden
Major Variety Of Animals Found Here : White Tiger, Black Panthers & Gharial
Crocodiles
Famous As : Picnic Spot

The Garden of Gods
A short distance from the capital city, Bhubaneswar, the Nandankanan Zoo lies
in the splendid environs of the Chandaka forest, along the rippling waters of
the Kanjia Lake. It also contains a Botanical Garden and part of it has been
declared a sanctuary.

Famed for its white tiger population, Nandankanan, or the 'Garden of Gods', has
become a hot family favourite, with visitors getting an excellent opportunity
to enjoy seeing these regal animals in their natural glory - in an environment
conducive to their growth. Over 67 kinds of mammals, 18 varieties of reptiles
and 81 species of birds co-exist in the deeply forested boundaries.

The zoo enjoys an excellent reputation internationally, for successfully
breeding black panthers, gharial crocodiles and white tigers in captivity.

Gharial Breeding
For the first time ever, a captive breeding centre was created for gharial
crocodiles. This important task was also facilitated by the gift of an adult
male from the Frankfurt Zoo.

White Tiger Breeding
One of the rarest creatures in the world, the regal white tiger, received a new
lease of life with the important research and concerted efforts initiated to
try and breed them in the natural environs of Nandankanan.

In 1980, on a day full of excitement and jubilation, the first litter of white
tigers were born to Deepak and Ganga, two normal, tawny tigers. Subsequent
litters of white tigers have been distributed to Zoos both at home and abroad.
Currently, Nandankanan is home to over 34 white tigers.

Endangered species such as the Asiatic Lion, three Indian crocodilians, sangai
lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, India pangolin, mouse deer and countless
birds, reptiles and fish have been breeding successfully at Nandankanan.

Some of the other attractions of Nandankanan are the 34 aquaria, which are home
to a large variety of fresh water fishes. The Reptile Park's cave like entrance
is guarded by a life-size tyrannosaurus. Inside, numerous species of
crocodiles, lizards, turtles and snakes share the park with natural ease.

The ropeway connecting the Zoo with Botanical Garden over the lake, the boating
facilities and the toy-train for children have added new feathers. The
facilities at Nandakanan include day accommodations, elephant rides and
boating.

Safaris
The White Tiger Safari, established in 1991, offers visitors the heady
excitement of viewing the rare white tigers from specially designed protected
buses.

The lion safari offers an adventurous zing to the trip to Nandankanan.

Picnics and the Lakes
Nandankanan's beautifully versatile environs offer the tourists a great
opportunity to be adventurous or laid back. If one doesn't feel like tearing
around sighting animals and watching the birds, then settle down to a leisurely
picnic and mid-afternoon nap under the trees. Visitors feeling little more
energetic can meander along one of their nature trails.

HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
The nearest airport is situated at Bhubaneswar.
Rail:
Bhubaneswar is the nearest railhead.
Road:
Bhubaneswar is 25-kms from the zoo, on the way to Cuttack.

Best Time To Visit:
October-March