Thrissur Zoo or State Museum & Zoo, Thrissur (formerly the Trichur Zoo) is a 13.5-acre (5.5 ha) zoo that opened in 1885 in a small area called Chembukkavu, in the heart of Thrissur City. It is one of the oldest zoos in the country, and is home to a wide variety of animals, reptiles, and birds.
The zoo compound includes a natural history museum and an art museum that showcase the social and cultural heritage of the region. The Thrissur Zoo is 2 kilometres from the Thrissur City center and is open from 9:00 AM till 5:15 PM, except on Mondays. Being one of the two Zoological Parks in the state of Kerala, it sees a lot of visitors on a regular basis. 20 Rs is the entry fee for entering into the Zoo. Still and video cameras are allowed in the park for a small fee.
A Walk through Thrissur Zoo for Rs 20 – VIDEO
Wildlife at the Thrissur zoo includes tigers, lions, deers, sloth bears, monkeys, hippopotamus, camels, cobras, kraits, vipers, rat snakes, pink flamingos, mithun of the north-eastern hills, and lion-tailed macaques. There is also a special building which houses snakes.
The zoo includes a Zoological Garden, Botanical Garden, Art Museum, and Natural History Museum in its compound. Two beautiful niches with majestic seating are arranged for senior citizens who can take rest while their children and grandchildren enjoy the sprawling zoo campus.
A new home for the zoo is being constructed in nearby Puthur, and will expand the size of the zoo from its current 13.5 acres (5.5 ha) to 306 acres (124 ha). The new zoo will be close to the Peechi Dam, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Kerala Agricultural University College of Forestry, and College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.
