The Allen Forest Zoo is a natural habitat for a variety of animals and birds and is situated in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh.  It is the main attraction of tourists and is visited by almost all people who visit Kanpur.

The Allen Forest Zoo otherwise known as the Kanpur Zoo is a zoo that is located in a natural forest.  The zoo is situated two kilometers away from the city of Kanpur, which is an industrial center of Uttar Pradesh in North India. It has the widest open green space in Kanpur and acts as a natural habitat for the animals in the zoo.  The admirers of Kanpur shower praises upon their main tourist attraction, the Allen Forest Zoo, which demonstrates a natural and rich heritage of flora and fauna.  The zoo is a sanctuary of widespread greenery, a natural lake, very old trees, and covers the maximum land area than any other zoological park in Asia.  The zoo is a much sought place for outdoor picnics with its attractive picturesque environment and is the most visited Zoological Park in India.

History

The Zoological Park was opened in 1971 by the Indian Government and was named as Allen Forest Zoo. The zoo received its name from Sir Allen, who was a member of the British Indian Civil Service and an excellent Botanist.  It was he who wished to establish the zoo in a natural forest during the British rule, but his plans did not take proper shape at that time.  It is one of the popular and best zoos in India, and is a favourite picnic spot of the people of Kanpur and its tourists.

There is also a botanical garden in the zoo that proudly displays a collection of some of the country’s unique varieties of plant species and seasonal flowering plants. Filled with abundant growth of shrubbery and rainwater lakes that spread throughout the garden the park shines like quicksilver, which adds beauty of the environment.

Animals

The zoo possesses White Asian Tigers, Asiatic Lions, Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, Black Bear, Sloth Bear, Grizzly Bear, Hippopotamus, Rhinoceros, Hyena, Monkeys, Baboons, Languor, Musk deer, Deer, Antelope, Chimpanzees, orangutans and also houses gharial crocodiles.  The zoo also attracts tourists with its variety of birds like Parrots, Parakeet, Crane, Emus, Ostrichand a variety of Indian, European and Latin-American birds.  Monkeys and Deers roam about the zoo as natural habitants.

The zoo also has an aquarium and the Night animals are maintained separately.

Location

Address: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Phone: 0512-560 257

Location: The Allen Forest Zoo and its Botanical Garden is situated 2 km from the city of Kanpur.  The zoo can be reached by an auto or a cab from Kanpur.

Visit timing

The zoo can be visited anytime throughout the year.  It is closed on the Monday of every week.