The Lucknow Zoo

~ Swati Sharma

As a child I often visited the zoo as I lived in Dalibagh Colony which is just a stone’s throw away from the zoo. During our vacations my friends and I would go there every morning for a walk, play and say hello to our animal friends. I have happy memories of the zoo which had lots of trees and animals then.

Although I am sure the zoo authorities are doing the needful to make the zoo a safe place for the animals but maybe because of the climate changes over the years animals and trees have lessened a lot. I hope new trees are planted now as it is the urgent need of the hour. I felt cages could be made larger and shrubs or trees and grass and plants be planted in their enclosures, especially birds to give them a more natural environment. Animals need to be kept as close to Nature as possible to keep them happy and healthy.

The section where owls and other nocturnal animals are kept is totally artificial with small dark rooms which are dimly lit perhaps to give them a feel of night even during the day. This is completely unnatural as I feel these creatures need daylight just like other animals because that is their natural environment even if they rest during the day. And contrary to the popular belief, nocturnal animals have a weak eyesight during daytime but they can see and are not completely blind.

Over the years the zoo has for sure developed and is overall a fine experience for the visitors in many ways.

The Lucknow Zoo or The Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens, was established in the year 1921 to commemorate the visit of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales to Lucknow. Sir Harcourt Butler, the then Governor of the State established the idea of Zoological gardens and it was received enthusiastically by the prominent landlords and the leading citizens of the State who donated liberally for the construction of animal houses and cages and also presented animals and birds for display from time to time.