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<\/p>\n1. Trivandrum Zoo (or Thiruvananthapuram Zoo) is one of the oldest zoos in the country. The Maharaja of Travancore, Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (1830 -1847), established the zoo in 1857 in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, as an annex to the Napier Museum, a famous art and natural history museum in the city.<\/p>\n
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2. However in 1995, major renovation works took place, and the zoo underwent a lot of innovative changes with its old enclosures replaced by open naturalistic enclosures.<\/p>\n
3. This zoo in the \u2018temple city of Kerala\u2019 is the home to nearly 82 species of exotic animals including Indian rhinoceros, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Asiatic lion, royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephants, white tiger, leopard, hippos, giraffes, Cape buffalos and zebras and rare birds.<\/p>\n
4. Animals in this zoo are usually released in an open enclosure from their century-old cages, and can be easily viewed at a close distance.<\/p>\n
5. With rich natural vegetation, breath taking landscapes and green habitat, the zoo also encloses a reptile farm and snake farm \u2013 an exhibition of both venomous and non-venomous snakes, besides 7 anacondas.<\/p>\n
6. It is also rated as one of the cleanest and beautiful in zoos in South East Asia, on a sprawling 55 acres of land offering a regal look of towering bamboos, tall trees and beautiful milieu.<\/p>\n
7. It also serves as the perfecting getaway spot for the locals and a must-see destination for tourists from outside of Kerala and overseas.<\/p>\n
8. A new hospital with state-of-the-art equipment has also been established here.<\/p>\n
9. The zoo is located at a distance of 3km from Thampanoor Bus Station. You can take a bus from the K.S.R.T.C bus enroute to Museum, Peroorkada, Vellayambalam, Museum, Sasthamangalam, and Nedumangadu. In addition to public transportation, cabs, autos and busses are readily available at affordable charges.<\/p>\n