Lahore Zoo

Lahore Zoo

Main entrance of the zoo
Date opened	1872
Location	Mall Road, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Coordinates	31°33′22″N 74°19′33″E / 31.556006°N 74.325959°E / 31.556006; 74.325959Coordinates: 31°33′22″N 74°19′33″E / 31.556006°N 74.325959°E / 31.556006; 74.325959
Land area	25 acres (10 ha) (0.1 km²)
No. of animals	~1400
No. of species	~140
Annual visitors	3 million
Memberships	South Asian Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation
Major exhibits	Elephant House, Giraffe House, Tiger House
Website	www.lahorezoo.com.pk

Lahore Zoo (Punjabi: لہور چڑیا گھر, Urdu: لاہور چڑیا گھر‎) in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, established in 1872, one of the largest zoos in South Asia. It is currently managed by the Wildlife and Parks department of the Government of Pakistan. Today the zoo houses a collection of about 1380 animals of 136 species. Lahore Zoo was the host of the fifth annual conference of SAZARC in 2004. The stated mission of the zoo is:

To carry out ex-situ conservation of species and to actively contribute to Pakistan’s International commitment in terms of the Convention on Biological Diversity in addition to provide excellent educational and recreational facilities.

Lahore Zoo is thought to be the third or fourth oldest zoo in the world.Vienna Zoo of Austria, established in 1752 as a menagerie, was opened to public as a zoo in 1779. London Zoo of England, established in 1828, was opened to public in 1847. The Alipore Zoo of India, established some time in the early 19th century, was opened to public as a zoo in 1876.

Lahore Zoo had its beginnings in a small aviary donated by Lal Mahundra Ram in 1872 to the Lahore Municipal Corporation. Over time the animal collection increased and the zoo expanded. It later began to take interest in conservation, education and research in addition to providing recreational facilities to the public. By 2010, the zoo was home to about 1280 trees of 71 species and 1380 animals of 136 species including 996 birds of 82 species, 49 reptiles of 8 and 336 mammals of 45 species.