Kolkata Zoological Garden, or as it is also known as Alipore Zoo, located in West Bengal, is India's oldest official zoo. India - it was inaugurated way back in 1876. The garden was started by by Bengal's Governor General Arthur Willezley, who, as early as 1800. set up a private menagerie on his own land near Calcutta. But shortly afterwards, Willezley left India, and the zoo was taken over by a the famous Scottish zoologist Francis Buchanan-Hamilton. Later, at the urging of the public and the help of Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Temple, the government formally allocated land for the zoo. The site was chosen in the affluent Calcutta suburb of Alipore.
Initially, the animals for the zoological garden from his own menagerie was provided by Karl Louis Schwendler, a German electrician who was at the time engaged in the railway construction in the state.
At this point, the zoo has a truly unique collection of the most diverse animals from around the world - Indian elephants, Royal Bengal Indian elephants, Royal Bengal tigers, African lions, emu ostriches, jaguars, Indian rhinos, and others. Also, the zoological garden was until recently famous for the giant tortoise Addwaita, which was 250 years old, but sadly, in 2006, it died. died.
Since the second half of the twentieth century, there has been much criticism of the zoo's management due to the lack of adequate facilities. much criticism over the lack of adequate breeding programmes for rare animals. animals and because of cross-breeding programmes between different species. There have also been demonstrations have also been held against the conservative policies of the zoological garden and in favour of better living conditions for the animals living there. But despite this. this, the zoo still remains one of the most favourite and visited places in Kolkata.
