Lucknow Zoo is also known as `Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens` and is located in the city of Lucknow in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Occupying an area measuring about 71.6 acres, Lucknow Zoo has been classified as a large zoo by the Central Zoo Authority of India. The zoo had been established in 1921 to mark the royal visit of the Prince of Wales to India, particularly to Lucknow. The original idea of developing this zoo belonged to the then Governor of Lucknow named Sir Harcourt Butler. The Zoo Advisory Committee manages the zoo, along with the Forest Secretary of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. For better zoo administration and its supervision, an officer corresponding to the rank of Deputy Conservator of Forests has been appointed as the Director of the zoo.
History of Lucknow Zoo
The governors and influential citizens of Lucknow during that point of time readily welcomed the suggestion of Harcourt Butler to establish the Lucknow Zoo. They donated large sums of money for the erection of the cages and homes for the animals and birds which would be exhibited here. A managing committee was then set up for administering the zoo which included Sheikh Maqbool Husain, the first Secretary of the Commission, Colonel Fanthorpe who was the Commissioner of Lucknow was appointed the first President of the committee and several others. Eventually, on 17th August, 1926, the Committee was officially registered under the Societies Registration Act.
The Managing Committee was nullified in 1950 and a new Advisory Committee was formulated along with Director of Medical & Health Services, Uttar Pradesh, Secretary to the Government, Uttar Pradesh and so on. The administrative department of the zoo was shifted towards the Forest Department again in the year 1966 and it was remodelled with Chief Conservator of Forests (Planning) as the ex-officio administrator, Secretary to Government of Uttar Pradesh. The name of the Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens of Lucknow was altered to `Lucknow Prani Udyan` on 4th June, 2001.
Fauna of Lucknow Zoo
The Lucknow Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals and birds. There are about 72 reptiles, 463 mammals and 298 birds who reside in this beautiful zoo. Himalayan Black Bear, Giant Squirrels, Royal Bengal Tiger, Barking Deer, Indian Wolf, Asiatic Elephant, Swamp Deer, Hoolock Gibbon, Black Buck, Indian Rhinoceros, Hog Deer, Zebra, Giraffe, Lion, White Tiger, Silver Pheasant, Common Otter, Golden Pheasant, Hill Mynah and Great Pied Hornbill.
