View source for Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name         = Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden
|logo             =
|logo_caption     =
|image            = Rhino at Assam State Zoo.jpg
|image_caption    = Rhino at the zoo
|location         = [[Zoo Road]], [[Guwahati]], [[India]]
|date_opened      = 1958<ref name="kuchbhi"/>
|date_closed      =
|coordinates      = {{Coord|26.1632|91.7868|type:landmark_scale:5000|display=it}}
|area             = {{Convert|432.435|acre|abbr=on}}
|num_species      = 
|num_animals      = 
|largest_tank_vol =
|total_tank_vol   = 
|annual_visitors  = 450000<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cza.nic.in/index.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=30 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128084509/http://www.cza.nic.in/index.html |archive-date=28 November 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
|members          = [[Central Zoo Authority of India|CZA]]<ref name="cza_list"/>
|exhibits         = [[Indian rhinoceros|One horned Indian rhinoceros]], [[tiger]], [[clouded leopard]], [[Gee's golden langur|golden langur]], [[hoolock gibbon]], [[serow]], [[elephant]], [[Eld's deer|brow antlered deer]], [[slow loris]], [[Asian black bear|Himalayan black bear]], [[leopard cat]], [[binturong]], [[jungle cat]]
|website          = {{URL|http://www.guwahatizoo.kamakhyatemple.org}}
}}

The '''Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden''' (popularly known as Guwahati Zoo) is the largest of its kind in the North East region and it is spread across 432 acre (175 hectare). The zoo is located within the [[Hengrabari]] [[Reserved Forest]] at [[Guwahati]], [[India]]. The zoo is home to about 895 animals, birds and reptiles representing almost 113 species of animals and birds from around the world.

The Divisional officer of Assam State Zoo is [https://nenow.in/environment/coronavirus-assam-state-zoo-to-remain-closed-for-10-days.html Mr Tejas Mariswamy] from Mysore, Karnataka.  

==History==
The 64th session of [[Indian National Congress]] was held in Guwahati, in 1957. The Organising committee of [[Indian National Congress|INC]] organised an exhibit with included few animals and birds, of which a female leopard cub named Spotty was the favourite. After the meeting came to an end, it was felt to necessity of a zoo to house these animals.

These animals were shifted to Japorigog in the Hengrabari Reserve forest, with an area of 130 Hectare, suitable to create facilities and house these animals, thus, The Assam State Zoo was established in the year 1957 and was open to public viewing in the year 1958.

The total number of animals and birds, at the time of its inception was 42 (22 species) and 236 (31 species) respectively.

Over the years, the zoo grew and expanded to accommodate eye-catching exotic ones like [[Common chimpanzee|chimpanzee]]s, [[white rhinoceros|white rhinos]] & [[black rhinoceros|black rhinos]], [[zebra]]s, [[ostrich]]es and [[giraffe]]s from [[Africa]]; [[puma (genus)|puma]], [[jaguar]] and [[llama]] from [[South America]] and [[kangaroo]]s from [[Australia]]. To get these exotic animals the zoo used to send indigenous animals like [[Indian rhinoceros|one horned Indian rhinoceros]] and others, to many countries. Through later the importance was shifted to indigenous species and several captive breeding programs also started which were successful. In the year 1959 a forest division was created as Assam State Zoo Division and the zoo was put under this division.

The Assam State Zoo also added a museum and in the year 1982 a botanical garden and so Assam State Zoo became The Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden.

In 2002 another 45 hectare area of the Hengrabari Reserve Forests were added to the zoo and thus, the total area of the zoo became 175 hectare and in August, 2005 the Animal Adoption Scheme launched.

<gallery>
Image: Male Indian Peafowl.jpg|Male Indian peafowl
Image: Indian Rhinoceros at Guwahati Zoo, India.jpg|Single horn of an Indian rhinoceros
Image: An Indian Tiger.jpg|An Indian tiger
Image: Pelican in flock.JPG|Pelican in flock
Image: Chital or Spotted Deer.JPG|Chital or spotted deer
</gallery>

==Mission==

Apart from being the region’s premier zoo and ex-situ conservation centre, we aim to offer quality services and facilities in rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals, nature awareness, interpretation and responsible nature-tourism. We shall continue to act as a repository of wild bio-diversity and a green lung for the city of Guwahati. We shall also strive to make Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden the best and complete recreational and educational destination in the whole of North-east India.

==See also==

* [[List of Botanical Gardens in India]] and the "Indian portion" of the international [[List of botanical gardens]]
* [http://www.gkdutta.com/assam-state-zoo-cum-botanical-garden-guwahati/ "Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden", by: GK Dutta]
==Notes==
{{Reflist |refs=
<ref name="cza_list">
{{ZooOrg|cza|zoos|accessdate=4 July 2011}}
</ref>
<ref name="kuchbhi">
{{Cite web|url=http://www.kuchbhi.com/india/61-articles/258-list-of-zoos-in-india-from-1800-until-now.html |title=List of Zoos in India, from 1800 until now |work=kuchbhi.com |publisher=Kuchbhi |accessdate=4 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021205725/http://kuchbhi.com/india/61-articles/258-list-of-zoos-in-india-from-1800-until-now.html |archivedate=21 October 2011 }}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Guwahati Zoo}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091128084509/http://www.cza.nic.in/index.html Official website of: "Central Zoo Authority of India" (CZA), Government of India]

{{Zoos of India}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Zoos in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Guwahati]]
[[Category:1958 establishments in Assam]]
[[Category:Zoos established in 1958]]