Nandankanan Zoological Park, 20km from the capital Bhubaneswar, is a 400-hectare zoo and botanical garden in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Established in 1960, it was opened to the public in 1979 and considered to be the first zoo in India to join World Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2009. The name that literally means the “Garden of Pleasure” is the most picturesque park where you can get an opportunity to discover unique flora and fauna flourishing in their most natural habitat.
Nandankanan wildlife sanctuary is stretched across the area of 4.37 sq km where the protected area is of 3.62 sq km. The zoo boasts of more than 32 white tigers in its vicinity. Besides, the park is also the home to 65 varieties of mammals, 17 varieties of reptiles and 82 species of birds. The animals that are frequently seen in the park are Asiatic lion, lion-tailed macaque, Indian crocodiles, nilgiri langur, Indian pangolin, Himalayan black bear, mouse deer, rhesus macaque, black buck and more. By spreading over a sprawling area of 4.5 Sq kms, the park also noticed as the first breeding place for black panthers.
The Nandankanan is also known as Nandankanan National Park where you can get lot of enthralling facility like boating, white tiger and lion safaris (safari in a sense to encounter these royal animals) reptile park, aerial ropeway and cable car ( under renovation ) at the zoological park. Also a nocturnal animal house is established for the wildlife lovers who will get a penchant for wildlife.
Due to its rare offerings and serene setting, the park has been now emerged as a much sought after picnic destination of Odisha Tour and an important tourist places of Odisha (Orissa)?for both locals as well as tourists.