Hyderabad zoo sees record turnout as families throng during Dasara break

Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad has recorded its highest visitor footfall of the season, with 20,483 people visiting on Sunday during the Dasara holidays. To manage the surge, the zoo has increased ticketing facilities, security deployment and visitor services.

Hyderabad: With the Dasara vacation underway, families are flocking to Nehru Zoological Park here to see their favourite animals. The zoo recorded 20,483 visitors on Sunday, marking the highest footfall of the current holiday season. It usually attracts large crowds during the summer vacation.

To manage the rush, the zoo has opened additional ticket counters to facilitate bookings. Extra security guards have also been deployed across the premises to prevent any untoward incidents.

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According to zoo officials, the frequency of train rides, safaris and battery-operated vehicle services has been increased to improve the visitor experience.

The zoo currently houses 2,178 animals across four groups, including 498 mammals, 1,352 birds, 320 reptiles and eight amphibians. It recently added mandrills to its collection under an animal exchange programme with Jamshedpur Zoo. In exchange, Nehru Zoological Park gave a pair of African lions to the Jamshedpur zoo.

Last year, the zoo introduced three zebras brought from the Radha Krishna Trust in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The animals returned to Hyderabad zoo after a gap of 37 years.

The Hyderabad zoo is also planning to bring kangaroos from Vantara, a global wildlife rescue and conservation centre run by the Reliance Foundation.