Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneshwar is a famous zoo in Orissa. The zoo lies in the Chandaka Forest along the Kanjia Lake. The zoo was set up in 1960-61 and also has a botanical garden and part of the zoo has been declared a sanctuary. Nandankanan literally means, garden of heavens.

The garden is famous for the white tigers. Several endangered species are found here like Asiatic lion, three Indian crocodilians, Nilgiri langur, Indian pangolin, mouse deer, Sangal lion-tailed macaque and countless birds, reptiles and fish have been breeding successfully at Nandankanan. The thirty four aquaria in Nandankanan is the home to large variety of fresh water fishes. The Reptile Park`s Cave has a entrance which is guarded by a massive Tryannosaurus Rex. Inside the park one can find a number of species of crocodiles, lizards, turtles and snakes. It is also a breeding ground for black panthers, gharial crocodiles and white tigers. Nearly sixty seven kinds of mammals, eighteen varietes of reptiles and eighty one species of birds live in the forest. It is the only forest where one can find the animals in the lap of nature. Nearly four hundred and twenty four species of plants of eighty seven families are found here.

The Park plays a pivotal role in saving species from extinction and also in conservation education, awareness, scientific study for the benefit of the animals.