TripsGuru - India Travel & Tourism

The Benevolent Ruler and one of the Architect of the then modern Mysore State itself, his highness Sri Chamarajendra Wodeyar was also the Creator of what was to become the famous Mysore Zoo in the year 1892. The Maharaja would have only the best for the "Palace Zoo" was named as "Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens" to commemorate the illustrious founder and since then it bears the nomenclature. He engaged Mr. G.H. Krumbeigal, German Landscaper and Horticulturist who had created the beautiful and now well known Brindavan Gardens in Mysore and the Cubbon Park at Bangalore.

From the very beginning, enclosures for animals were made spacious and aesthetic such that even today, they are still quite suitable.

Sri Chamarajendra Wodeyar being a lover of nature was responsible for establishing many parks and gardens. The Bandipur Sanctuary and the Zoo were established during his time with the intention of entertaining the important guests of the time by providing them an opportunity to see the wild animals he loved so much. While the Zoo had been found on just 10 acres, after some time it was expanded to 45 acres. An Australian by name Mr. Huge was selected to head the expanded zoo as the Superintendent
On realising the popularity of the zoo after 10 years of its beginning, the Maharaja felt it would be appropriate to open the institution to the public considering its importance as a recreational and educational value.

During those days only few zoos were established in different provinces in India by Maharajas, Nawabs and British Rulers. They were established in Madras, Trivandrum, Calcutta, Mysore, Lucknow and Victoria garden at Bombay. A little later, a zoo came up in Baroda and Jaipur as well. Among these Madras, Calcutta, Mysore and Trivandrum zoos were considered as the best zoos in the country.

When the Maharajas visited European countries and Africa, they used to select interesting animals such as Chimpanzees, Giraffe and other - Antelopes, primates, birds and bears. Much was entrusted to the dealers who were crating and transporting animals to Mysore Zoo. One of the important dealers was Mr. Herman Ruhe, a German who owned different Zoos in Germany. At the time, the acquisition of animals was not difficult because we had many wild animals from our own forest to give in exchange. There were many knowledgeable dealers. The Ruhe firm in Germany was a close associate of Mysore Zoo for more than eight decades. Mr. Albert Meems, a colleague of Mr. Ruhe, many times traveled along with animals to Mysore Zoo more than five decades.

Our beloved Maharaja had the vision that the Zoo was not only the place of recreation but of education as well. He ensured that brochures, guide books and animal picture cards were brought out giving information on each species so that the visitors would learn something about the wildlife of India and world. Another feature of Mysore Zoo was its role as "Orphanage" for rearing abandoned animals such as the calves of elephant and gaur, tiger and leopard cubs and many other young ones. In addition, it was the place where elephant calves which were caught in Khedda were reared and subsequently sent abroad to various zoos.

Breeding of many exotic animals such as Zebra, Wild beast or Eland Antelope, Barbery sheep, Emus, Giraffe, Kangaroos done successfully in Mysore Zoo and distributed to various zoos in the country and abroad.

Our Maharajas took keen interest in zoo management, to provide efficient management proper personnel having interest in animal care were drawn to administer the zoo. During their time many superintendents nourished and administered the zoo such as Mr. Huge; Mr. Siddaraje Urs and Mr. S.Anantharamaiah. In the year 1948 after the advent of our country’s Independence, the zoo was gifted from the palace to the administrative control of what was then called the Parks and Gardens Department along with the staff. Mr. Anantharamaiah was the Superintendent of the Zoo till the year 1960. Under the management of Parks and Gardens Department, the Zoo flourished for a period of 24 years. After this, from 1960 the Zoo management in general underwent many changes. Significant programmes such as breeding of indigenous fauna apart from exotic animals and a number of expansion schemes were implemented during this period. Dr. M.H.Marigowda, who had been educated at Harvard and worked in Kew Gardens, was the Director of Parks and Gardens.

A great and visionary man Dr. M.H.Marigowda felt that the 45 acres of the Zoo was not sufficient to house the fauna and flora in modern way. He wanted to provide spacious enclosures with a natural setting for the welfare of the animals and also the better education to the visitors. It was Dr. Marigowda who initiated the systematic propagation of wild fauna in the Zoo, just as he did for plants in the Botanical Gardens.

Dr. Marigowda convinced the Government to acquire 50 acres of Kensington Gardens along with the famous Thandisadak (meaning "Cool Road") from the palace. In addition, he succeeded in acquiring 5 acres of land towards western side including the road from C.I.T.B. Mysore and 50 additional acres from the Government. This also included 150 Acres of Karanji Tank area which was added it to the Zoo. Altogether from 45 acres the Zoo was expanded to 250 acres right in the center of Mysore.
Even today, no old zoo in the country had been able to expand its area within the city. All the Zoo community as well as the citizens of Mysore and of India itself should be thankful to Dr. M.H. Marigowda for his effort.

A master plan was prepared on modern lines removing the barred and fenced enclosures and providing moated enclosures for all the animals. A first large apes enclosure was built in the country in 1977 where there were big trees, bushes and lush grasses for the animals to enjoy. A pair of gorillas, a pair of orangutans, and some chimpanzees were acquired and for the first time in Indian Zoo history, all three species of large apes could be seen together.

Because the zoo was able to expand its area and give a facelift for its layout plan, today visitors can enjoy viewing exhibits without any obstructions. In the past 100 years the old Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens further expanded its potential for another 100 years.