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As the name suggests, the Mini Zoo at Andaman is a modest and compact zoo that still manages to give its visitors a taste of the exotic creatures that inhabit the Andaman Islands. It contains animals, birds and reptiles too. The zoo has been designed to help visitors understand the ecology and diverse ecosystems of the islands. After the opening of the Chidiyatapu Biological Park, several animals were relocated. There are still many species that visitors can see at the Mini Zoo.
Highlights of the Mini Zoo
Inclusions
Admission to the Mini Zoo
The Mini Zoo is housed inside the Forest Museum and you can visit both on the same day. The tickets are just a formality and will barely cost you anything.
Price
Recommended for
The Mini Zoo is the perfect place to visit with families and kids, to give the youngsters an idea about the various birds and animals native to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. One of the highlights of Port Blair, the zoo gets several visitors daily. Your trip to Andaman & Nicobar will be incomplete without a visit to the Mini Zoo.
How to get to Mini Zoo
Getting the zoo is really easy. Its location on the Haddo Road at Port Blair makes it well known. Also, it is within the premises of the famous Forest Museum, so you just walk to it from the museum.
Location
Haddo, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744102
Timings
The Mini Zoo is located inside the Forest Museum and it is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm except on Mondays. Don’t let the name Mini Zoo mislead you. If you really want to spend time and go through every animal and bird enclosure thoroughly, we recommend setting aside 2.30-3 hours at least for this trip.
About the Mini Zoo
The Mini Zoo at Port Blair is home to exotic animals and birds, indigenous to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and you will be able to view many of them as you walk past the various enclosures. You will be pleased to know that much effort has been taken to conserve some of the more rare species that are native only to the Andaman Islands. The zoo houses about 200 varieties of birds and animals. It once housed many more, but since the opening of the Chidiyatapu Botanical Garden, many species have been relocated to those premises. However, the zoo still has many attractions that make it certainly worth a visit.
You might be disappointed by the plain façade of the zoo when you see from the outside. However, do not let that stop you. Once inside you will be truly amazed by the several species of birds, and animals such as pigs, macaque, alligators and many more in their natural surroundings. Visitors to the zoo can also expect to see the Malayan box turtle.
The Mini Zoo accords the visitor an opportunity to spot rare species, such as the Andaman pig and the Andaman gecko, that have been protected from the outside world. At the crocodile breeding farm you will see these majestic dinosaur-era creatures sunbathing or simply watching visitors with a dispassionate eye. The crocodiles are released into the coastal mangrove swamps after reaching a certain age.
The birding area is home to exotic birds such as the Andaman dark serpent eagle, white bellied sea eagle, the famous Nicobar pigeon and even parrots.
The zoo takes good care of the animals, and the usual concerns regarding zoos will be banished when you step inside. Away from the rush and buzz of the world outside, the zoo is a secluded area and allows you to enjoy some much-deserved me-time. The zoo is a great way for animal lovers to spend some time learning about wildlife and the ecosystem of the Andaman Islands.
As you walk through the zoo you will notice the rich foliage that includes tree species of padauk, rosewood and marblewood among many other species particular only to this region. Hire the services of an expert who can point out all the interesting elements of the zoo and its inhabitants to you.
Once you've had your fill of the zoo, if you wish, you can head over to the Forest Museum and request to see the documentaries. These will give you more information about the animals that you just saw, their habitats and lifestyles.
A trip to Andaman cannot be complete without a visit to the mini zoo. The few hours that you will spend there will be some of the quietest and most peaceful ones of your life. Additionally, the visit will also give you a chance to learn more about the wildlife of the place that you are visiting.
Interesting facts about the Mini Zoo
