Wildlife of Pakistan: Karachi Zoological Garden

FACT FILE:

Physical Location: Nishter Road and Sir Agha Khan (Third) Road, Karachi

Total Area: 33 acres

Date Established: 1878

Best Time to Visit: All year round

Maps: Click Here

Website: http://www.karachizoo.com.pk

Photo Credit: Karachi Zoo Online (http://www.karachizoo.com.pk)

The history of Karachi Zoo is based on the administrative report of 1949 of the corporation of the city of Karachi. Accordingly it was commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi Garden. It was transferred by the government to the municipality in the year 1861 on the condition that it shall never be sublet or transferred. The Zoo has an interesting history as it forms a part of the ground where the old East India Companies factory was situated. 1833 as it was marked on a map prepared by commander Charles, who described it as surrounded by trees, giving a look of garden. In 1878, the Municipality after considering various suggestions for improving the Zoo, places it under a trust to be maintained out of public subscription. The present Zoo started in a better way by donation in 1881. in 1953 KMC decided to create the post of full time curator, a qualified veterinary doctor, to keep the animals in good health. Presently, total sanctioned strength of Karachi Zoo is 242 staff including 6 technical staff and the rest skilled or semi skilled workers/staff.

Natural History Museum:
Karachi Zoo has a good Natural Museum Indigenous as well as exotic stuffed animals belonging to different regions of the world have been exhibited in a very good manner. Visitors and science students can study morphological characters of animals from close quarter. Post graduate students can get more information on mammals, birds and reptiles through the technical officials. In 1991-1992 CDGK (former KMC) allocated funds for remodeling of Natural History Museum, which was carried out. Now, the Natural History Museum is being visited by students of secondary schools on regular basis for awareness in biodiversity. Apart from stuffed animals, skins, antlers, horns & feathers etc are also placed on display in the museum. In 1992 the Japanese Princess inaugurated the remodeled Natural History Museum. The rate of entry fee in the museum is Rs. 2/- and Rs. 1/- Per adult and children, respectively.

Reptile House:
The Reptile house in Karachi Zoo was extended and renovated in the year 1992. it is one of the best Reptile Houses in Pakistan. There are 13 species of snakes and lizards. Newly born hatching of tortoises & crocodiles are also exhibited in the Reptile House.

Mughal Garden:
A small garden in Mughal style was established in the year 1970. lush green lawns with seasonal scanted plants, occupy major part of the garden. It is one of the finest green floral spots in the city. Different verities of Roses in many shades enhance the beauty of this garden. Centrally located fountains with Mughal structure Baradari further increases its beauty & elegance.

Hospital Facilities:
In 1998 Karachi Zoo established a veterinary hospital with modern diagnostic facilities. There is an operation theatre, equipped with X-ray quarantine building, laboratory and incubation room where eggs left away by captive birds are taken care of.

Educational Facilities:
In order to create Public awareness regarding animals, their importance in society, morphological character of the animals, their behavior,breeding, habit, habitat, conservation of animals, feeding process in nocturnal and diurnal animals, animal welfare, care and animal ethics, we arrange educational programmes from time to time with the collaboration of different educational institutions.

Stock Position:
There are 165 mammals, 460 birds and 210 reptiles in the zoo, making the total number 835. The zoo boasts a reptile house that features Coral, Python, Sand Boa, Dhaman or the Rat Snake and Cobra. The aquarium, constructed in, 1953 has 28 display tanks that contain a total of 30 species and some 300 fish. Besides, there is also a natural history museum where, dead animals of the zoo are put on display after being stuffed.

Visitors, type of attractions, total expenditure and income by Zoo

Year	No. of visitors		Type of attractions		Total expenditure (per annum) Rs.	Total Income (per annum) Rs.
	Adult	Minor	Animal	Birds
Karachi Zoo
1994-95	1774902	307904	171	603	5000000	10052298
1995-96	958036	560358	217	588	2570084	1552233
1996-97	1882867	400000	273	441	11025549	6536983
1997-98	1692210	360000	249	451	9561461	8465921
1998-99	1180000	500000	319	453	7106058	13137189
1999-00	1762420	150000	356	441	5815692	15740047
2000-01	1300000	925000	413	468	9095941	16869243