Allen Forest Zoo / Kanpur Zoo - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 12 km from Kanpur Central, Kanpur Zoological Park is a zoological park located in Nawabganj of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Also known as Allen Forest Zoo, it is one of the largest zoological gardens in North India, and among must-include places in Kanpur packages.

Situated in the human-made Allen Forest, the Kanpur Zoological Park was established in 1971 and is one of the oldest Zoological Park in India. However, it opened for the public on 4th February 1974. The zoo park is spread over an area of 196 acres inside the human-made Allen Forest, the largest open green space in Kanpur. The terrain of the park is undulating and resembles a high forest. It is one of those Zoological Park which has been built on modern Zoo building principles. The first animal brought to the zoo was an Otter sourced from the river Chambal.

Maintained by the Forest Department, Kanpur Zoo has a picturesque landscape with lush vegetation, a beautiful lake, and several rare species of plants and animals. The animals inhabited in the Zoological Park have been put in open and moated enclosures. The moated enclosures give the animal ample space for movement and help in expressing their biological and physiological expressions. The enclosures are screened by the terrain in such a way that one enclosure is not visible from the other.

The zoo is home to many wildlife species including white tigers, leopards, black bears, grizzly bears, sloths, zebras, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and reptiles such as snakes. Indian gharial is the only amphibian that inhabits the zoo. A special division of the zoo is dedicated to nocturnal animals such as prickly porcupines and toddy cats. The main attraction of the zoo is the botanical garden, which holds the collection of some of the rare species of plants. Rainwater lake, aviary, and night house are other major attractions of this zoo.

The zoo also houses an aquarium and life-size sculptures of prehistoric dinosaurs. A section of the zoo that consists of a multitude of exotic birds originating from different parts of the globe. The aviary is home to colorful parrots, graceful cranes, and melodious parakeets. The zoo also has a Toy Train facility. Besides, the zoo arranges several interactive activities for its visitors such as educational programs and competitions based on essay-writing, drawing, painting, skit performances, and others to win exciting prizes.

Timings: 8 AM - 5.30 PM, Closed on Mondays

Entry: Rs. 30 for Adults & Rs. 15 for Children (Indians) & Rs. 150 for Adults & Rs. 75 for Children (Foreigners), Rs. 50 for Adults & Rs. 25 for Children for Baal Train, & Rs. 50 for Adults & Rs. 25 for Children for Battery Operated Vehicle