Peshawar Zoo () is one of the largest zoos in Pakistan and the first ever zoo in Peshawar. It opened on 12 February 2018. It is managed by the Forests, Environment and Wildlife department of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

History

Peshawar zoo's construction formally started on February 3, 2016, with the ground breaking ceremony being attended by Imran Khan and Chief Minister of KPK, Pervez Khattak. The zoo was officially opened to the public on February 13, 2018. The zoo is spread over an area of 29 acres besides the premises of the Pakistan Forest Institute. It is located next to Markaz-Ul-Uloom Islamia Rahatabad. Some of the first animals to arrive were brought from Lahore Zoo in October 2017, these included a pair of

lion The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large Felidae, cat of the genus ''Panthera'', native to Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body (biology), body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the ...

s and various species of ungulates including

nilgai The nilgai (''Boselaphus tragocamelus'') (, literally meaning "blue cow") is the largest antelope of Asia, and is ubiquitous across the northern Indian subcontinent. It is the sole member of the genus (biology), genus ''Boselaphus'', which was ...

and

blackbuck The blackbuck (''Antilope cervicapra''), also known as the Indian antelope, is a medium-sized antelope native to India and Nepal. It inhabits grassy plains and lightly forested areas with perennial water sources. It stands up to high at the sh ...

s. Other animals were brought from various institutions across Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, including leopards brought from Dhodial pheasantry and a wildlife park in Malakand and an Asiatic black bear from Nathiagali. The zoo was formally inaugurated and opened to the public on 12 February 2018. Earlier on following the zoo's opening various animals died due to lack of medical facilities and rising temperatures in the city, these included a female snow leopard named Sonhi which died due to a clogged artery which could not be diagnosed on time and at least 2 leopard cubs which died due to heat related causes. In June 2018, 3 pairs of

Bengal tiger The Bengal tiger is a population of the ''Panthera tigris tigris'' subspecies and the nominate tiger subspecies. It ranks among the largest wild cats alive today. It is estimated to have been present in the Indian subcontinent since the Late ...

s arrived at the zoo from

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

, followed shortly by the arrival of

giraffe The giraffe is a large Fauna of Africa, African even-toed ungulate, hoofed mammal belonging to the genus ''Giraffa.'' It is the Largest mammals#Even-toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla), tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant on ...

s and the opening of the snake house. In November 2018 a herd of Arabian oryx arrived from UAE, making this the first endangered species of ungulate to be imported by the zoo.

Areas and attractions

Lion House

Consisting of indoor housing, with viewing for guests, and a moated enclosure. The zoo is currently home to a pair of lions donated by the Lahore Zoo. Located adjacent is the Bear House, divided into two moats and two indoor sections for Asiatic black bear and Himalayan brown bear. Currently the zoo only house two Asiatic black bears.

Bird Aviary

A walk through aviary located in the middle of the zoo. This exhibit is not yet complete, with visitors only being able to see it from the outside . Species housed here include great white pelicans, greater flamingos, muscovy ducks, ring-necked pheasants, chukar partridges, Asian houbara bustards, demoiselle cranes and black-crowned cranes among others.

Leopard House

Consisting of 4 roofed enclosure with indoor shelters for the animals. Species housed here include an Indian leopard,

rhesus macaque The rhesus macaque (''Macaca mulatta''), colloquially rhesus monkey, is a species of Old World monkey. There are between six and nine recognised subspecies split between two groups, the Chinese-derived and the Indian-derived. Generally brown or g ...

s, a

grey wolf The wolf (''Canis lupus''; : wolves), also known as the grey wolf or gray wolf, is a canine native to Eurasia and North America. More than thirty subspecies of ''Canis lupus'' have been recognized, including the dog and dingo, though gr ...

and

Others

Other notable animals present at the zoo include

s, markhors, grey gorals, black bears, Javan green peafowl, Himalayan griffon vultures, Peregrine falcons and Indian cobras.

Animals

Mammals

Birds

Reptiles

Animal births

The zoo welcomed 4 Indian leopard cubs on 30, April, 2018. The cubs were born to a pair of leopards originating from the Hazara and Malakand regions of Pakistan. It was reported that at least two of the cubs died due to the increasing temperature in the city. Other births at the zoo include a llama and a Bactrian camel.

References

{{authority control Peshawar Zoos in Pakistan Tourist attractions in Peshawar 2017 establishments in Pakistan Peshawar District