Nandankanan Zoological Park is a zoo and botanical garden spread across 437 hectares (1,080 acres) of forest and lakeside land at Barang village, between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack in the Indian state of Odisha. The park was established in 1960 and officially opened to the public in 1979, taking its current name in 1981. It is built around the 134-acre Kanjia Lake, which gives much of the park a natural, water-edged setting rather than a conventional city zoo layout.
The park is best known for its white tigers, a lineage that traces back to cubs born there in 1980, and it has since grown the largest captive population of white tigers in India. In 2009, Nandankanan became the first zoo in India to be admitted as a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), reflecting its role in captive breeding programs for species such as gharials and black panthers alongside its more conventional zoo exhibits.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Barang, near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
- Opened: Established 1960; opened to the public in 1979
- Size: 437 hectares (1,080 acres)
- Species: More than 150 species of animals
- Annual Visitors: More than 2.6 million
- Famous For: Largest captive white tiger population in India
A Zoo Built Around a Lake
Unlike many urban zoos, Nandankanan’s layout is shaped by the 134-acre Kanjia Lake at its center, with walking trails and enclosures arranged around the water and surrounding Chandaka forest. The grounds also include a botanical garden that opened in 1963 and an orchid house, giving the park a dual identity as both a wildlife facility and a landscaped garden.
Breeding Programs and White Tigers
Nandankanan’s reputation rests largely on its captive breeding record. White tigers born there in 1980 became the foundation of the zoo’s now-famous white tiger population, housed in a dedicated White Tiger Safari enclosure. The park has also run breeding programs for gharials and black panthers, work that contributed to its acceptance into WAZA in 2009 as the first Indian zoo to join the organization.
Explore more: More Zoos & Aquariums.
Zoo days are long and the shade isn't always where the animals are.
Clips to a stroller, wagon or backpack strap. Quiet enough that it won't wake a napping toddler.
Cold water for the whole loop around the zoo, with a straw lid that doesn't leak in the bag.
Nandankanan Zoological Park FAQs
Where is Nandankanan Zoological Park located?
It is located at Barang village in Odisha, India, roughly midway between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
What is Nandankanan Zoo famous for?
It is best known for having the largest captive population of white tigers in India, a lineage that began with cubs born at the park in 1980.
When did Nandankanan Zoo open?
The zoo was established in 1960 and opened to the public in 1979; it was renamed Nandankanan Zoological Park in 1981.
Get More from Nandankanan Zoological Park
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Nandankanan Zoological Park, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Abhas Kumar Kheti / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.