The Kurumbapatti Zoological Park is a mini zoo, situated in the foothills of the Shervaroyan Hills, 10 km from
Salem, Tamil Nadu
Salem (), is a major city in Salem district, located on the banks of Thirumanimutharu river in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Salem is the List of cities in Tamil Nadu by population, sixth largest urban agglomeration and metropolitan city in ...
,
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
. It was set up in 1981 as a small museum and was later extended to 31.73 Ha. The zoo houses many species of wildlife, with monkeys as the major attraction, and is in the vicinity of reserve forest, permitting visitors the opportunity to also experience the flora and fauna there. The park has a gentle topography, areas of bamboo and woodland and semi-perennial streams.
Facilities include a children's playground area.
The park has been recognized as a small category zoo.
Exhibits
The park features spotted deer, sambar deer, white peacock, bonnet macaque, grey pelican, little egret, grey heron, turtle, marsh crocodile, star tortoise, plum headed parakeet, rose-ringed parakeet, a 58-year-old elephant Andal, yellow-footed green pigeon (treron phoenicoptera), blackbucks and Bison. Four Alexandrine parakeets, 20 rose-ringed parakeets and five Plum-headed parakeets have arrived from the
Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Arignar Anna Zoological Park (abbreviated AAZP), also known as the Vandalur Zoo, is a zoological garden located in Vandalur, is in the southwestern part of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, about from the Chennai Central and from Chennai Airport. Establish ...
in Vandalur to be displayed in purpose-built enclosures. Separate enclosures exist for the parakeets to permit better viewing for visitors.
The park recently received three
Asian palm civet
The Asian palm civet (''Paradoxurus hermaphroditus''), also called common palm civet, toddy cat and musang, is a viverrid native to South and Southeast Asia. Since 2008, it is IUCN Red Listed as Least Concern as it accommodates to a broad range ...
s from Tiruvarur forest division and will be moved to enclosures for Visitors once Quarantine period is over
![Zoo Elephant Andal](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Zoo_Elephant_Andal.jpg)
Animals at the park include:
2019 Renovation
![Artificial waterfall in Salem Zoo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Artificial_waterfall_in_Salem_Zoo.jpg)
![Kurumbapatti Zoo 3dArtwork Montage](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Kurumbapatti_Zoo_3dArtwork_Montage.jpg)
In 2019 a butterfly garden was opened and 3D artworks of animals such as tigers and butterflies were created along the pathways inside the zoo. A wide range of flowering plants was incorporated into the area close to the butterfly garden, with four beehives to facilitate cross-pollination. An artificial waterfall and lawns were also planned as part of the renovation effort.
Rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals
The zoo is located in Kurumbapatty reserve forests in the foothills of the Shervaroys. The city is surrounded by hillocks and reserve forests. Consequently, the zoo is involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals regularly. The injured animals are provided with veterinary care at the zoo, and other animals are quarantined and released into the wild.
Proposed Up-gradation 2020
The forest department have decided to bring in large carnivorous animals like tiger, leopard and sloth bears to the zoo and also expand the area from 31.74 hectares to 80 hectares. The Tamil Nadu government announced that the zoo will be expanded into a medium category zoo and allotted 8 crores for the purpose.
Incidents
An elephant in zoo premises attacked and trambled mahout kaliappan, a 45 years old man died during this incident. The same elephant named Andal killed a forest watcher in 2013.
Gallery
File:Tiger Statue in Salem zoo.jpg , Newly added Tiger Statue.
File:DinoStatue.jpg , Dinosaur Statue.
File:Red eared slider tortoises.jpg, Red-Eared Slider tortoises
File:White Peacock.jpg, White Peacocks enclave.
File:Group of Pelican birds.jpg, Pelican birds enclave.
File:White ducks at kurumbapatti Zoo.jpg, White Duck in Zoo Premises.
File:Kurumbapatti Zoo crocodile.jpg, MirrorImage of Zoo Crocodile.
File:KurumambapattiZooElephant.jpg, Zoo Elephant Andal.
File:A group of Sambar deer's .jpg, Sambar Deer
File:Spotted Deer with big Antlers.jpg, Spotted Deer(Chital)
File:Bengalfox SalemZoo.jpg, Golden Jackal
See also
*
Yercaud, Tamil Nadu
*
Shevaroy Hills, Tamil Nadu
*
Mettur Dam, Tamil Nadu
*
Salem, Tamil Nadu
Salem (), is a major city in Salem district, located on the banks of Thirumanimutharu river in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Salem is the List of cities in Tamil Nadu by population, sixth largest urban agglomeration and metropolitan city in ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
* https://salem.nic.in/tourist-place/zoos-parks-falls/
Zoos in Tamil Nadu
Amusement parks in Tamil Nadu
Tourist attractions in Salem district
Parks in Salem, Tamil Nadu