Nainital Zoo

Nainital Zoo is a beautiful destination for tourists which located in a hills named as Sher ka Danda. The zoo is known as Bharat Ratna Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo and lies at an elevation of 2000 m. Animals like Hill Fox, Ghoral, Siberian Tiger, Sambhar Deer, Snow Leopard, Wolf, Silver Pheasants, Rose ringed Parakeet, Barking Deer and Himalayan Black Bear etc. can be seen in this zoo. For all the nature lovers and those attracted in wildlife, a trip to the Govind Vallabh Pant Zoo at Nainital does not outcome in disappointment. This is a high altitude zoo positioned at 2100 meters in an vast open area, about 1 km away from the bus stand. Nainital zoo is a home to a variety of animals, namely, Himalayan black bear, Monkeys, Siberian Tiger, Leopard, Wolf, Palm civet cat, Rose ringed Parakeet, Silver Pheasants, Hill Fox, Ghoral, Sambhar and Barking Deer.

Pt. G.B. (Govind Ballabh) Pant Zoo in Nainital is unique being the one zoo in Uttarakhand. It lies in the hilly landscape of Sher ka Danda at an high altitude of approximately 2100 m over sea level about 2 km from Tallital Bus Stand well linked through a motor able road. It may be noted that in 1876, the last mountain quail could be seen here. The High Altitude Zoo or Nainital Zoo is loaded with gorgeous flora inclusive of some uncommon ornamental, horticultural and flowering plants like hibiscus, roses, acacia, acer and rhododendron. There are plenty of oak plantations also at this place.

Nainital Zoo houses a various range of wildlife species inclusive of Himalayan black bear, goral, Tibetan wolf, snow leopard, Himalayan martin and the Siberian tiger. As well, Nainital Zoo is a habitat for rich fauna comprising diverse selection of pheasants and rare beautiful birds like hill partridges, woodpeckers and babblers. The remarkable flora and fauna of the Zoo makes it an ideal place to visit in Nainital, the latter being a famed international traveler place. Also, Nainital has established itself in the field of research and education, thereby a favorite spot for children and students alike. As per the demands of present times, the Nainital Zoo is kept totally free of polythene, which is a main ecological threat facing mankind today. A journey to the Zoo is educative, enthralling and attractive for everyone, be it a traveler, scholar, youngster or anybody else. The Zoo covers approx. 4.693 hectares in area and is therefore well widen out.

History of Nainital Zoo
The Zoo got established in 1984, it was only from June 1995 that it was formally opened to the general public. Ever since March 2002, the Bharat Ratna Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo Management Society Nainital has taken over its management work. Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo Nainital was established and opened with the intent to defend and conserve the biodiversity and wildlife in the hilly areas of Nainital and Uttarakhand. The major objectives and goals of the Zoo are facilitating research and coordinating breeding of the rare and widespread Himalayan fauna, educating and extending knowledge in managing animals who are captive, protection of Himalayan animals and birds which are rare and widespread, cure and prevention of small and large diseases among animals, rehabilitation and rescue of rare and wounded species and last, but not the least, make people aware about the rich Himalayan flora and fauna.