A Zoological Garden (known as chidyakhana in Bengali) is a public or private park where live animals are kept for exhibition, recreation, and scientific study. Ancient civilizations like China, Egypt, and Rome had famous menageries and aviaries that inspired later developments. In medieval times, rulers maintained private animal collections that sometimes evolved into public zoos. Today, most large cities have zoological reserves, with modern trends focusing on breeding endangered species in captivity, creating habitats that mimic natural environments, and educating the public about ecology.
In Bengal, the concept of zoological gardens dates back to the early 19th century, with four noted menageries or zoos established in Kolkata starting from 1801. These included Barrackpore Menagerie, Wazir Ali Shah’s menagerie, Marble Palace Zoo, and Alipore Zoological Garden. Kolkata’s status as a trading hub facilitated the import and export of exotic animals during British colonial times.
The Marble Palace Zoo, founded in 1854 by Raja Rajendro Mullick Bahadur in Kolkata, is one of the oldest zoos and was established for public education and entertainment. It showcased an extensive collection of birds and mammals from India and abroad and contributed numerous animals to other zoos worldwide.
The Alipore Zoological Garden, inaugurated officially in 1876, occupies about 14 hectares and remains a premier zoo in Eastern India. It was established with goals of recreation, scientific observation, and conservation. Over the years, it has modernized its facilities with open-air enclosures, an extensive freshwater aquarium, reptile houses, and breeding programs for various species including tigers, bears, and elephants.
In Bangladesh, the largest zoo is the Dhaka Zoo, located in Mirpur. Established originally in 1964 and relocated to its current 75-hectare site in 1974, it houses about 2,150 vertebrate animals across 191 species—mammals, birds, reptiles, and fishes. It features popular animals such as tigers, lions, hippopotami, various primates, and rare species like zebras and emus. The zoo actively participates in captive breeding and animal exchange programs globally and attracts around 3 million visitors annually. There are also smaller zoos in Rangpur, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Comilla, and Khulna, managed by different authorities.
Zoological Gardens today play important roles in conservation, research, education, and recreation, providing crucial support for wildlife preservation and fostering public awareness about biodiversity.