Today is a historic day for all animal lovers of Karnataka. It was on this day (July 25, 1957) 50 years ago that Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the last maharaja and then Governor of Mysore State, gifted to the state government the zoological garden at Mysore. The garden, which was the maharaja’s private properly, included land, buildings, animals and zoo infrastructure valued at Rs 12 lakh at that time.

The sprawling zoological park has become a major attraction for the citizens of Mysore and lakhs of tourists from both India and abroad. Started as a private zoo of the royal family on just 10 acres in 1892, it had grown beyond anybody’s imagination in the last one century. The location of this park is excellent. It is situated around 1 km from the palace. On the one side, there is sprawling Karanji tank and it is on the way to Chamundi Hills, the abode of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the family deity of the Wadiyars.

Sri Chamarajendra Wadiyar was very much interested in visiting places both in India and abroad and that is how he thought of setting up a zoological park just for entertainment purpose. The zoo has been established on one portion of the summer palace also popularly known as the “pleasure palace” situated on the eastern part of the city. According to history, Sri Chamarajendra Wadiyar sought the services of G H Krumbeigal, a German landscaper and horticulturist to set up the zoo.

The maharaja was a great animal lover and he ensured that the animals had spacious enclosures. The century-old buildings inside the zoo have withstood the test of time, which is an indication of the quality of constructions. A number of animals procured from different parts of the country have found a place in the zoo.
Sri Chamarajendra Wadiyar appointed Mr Huge, an Australian as the zoo superintendent. Subsequently, the zoo was expanded to 45 acres. It was in early 1900 that the maharaja threw open the zoo to the public as it had both entertainment and educational value. As there were not many zoos in the country at that time, the Mysore zoo became famous countrywide. The zoo witnessed further expansion during the regime of Nalvadi Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar and new enclosures were built on 200 acres.
It had a rare collection of animals and also a picturesque setting with the Chamundi Hills as the backdrop and an artificial lake. After its expansion in 1909, it was renamed Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens after its founder. When the maharaja travelled abroad he brought back rare animals from these countries and added them to the zoo’s collection. Sometimes, animals available in Mysore forest were exchanged for those acquired from other countries. Mr Herman Ruhe a German who owned a number of zoos in Germany was closely associated with the Mysore zoo for about eight decades. The maharaja also made the Mysore zoo an “orphanage” for raising abandoned animals.
This zoo has witnessed a lot of ups and downs in the last 50 years. It hit the headlines after it successfully bred endangered species in captivity. At the same time, its image took a severe beating after some animals were poisoned. In fact, the Mysore zoo was the first to introduce the concept of the “Zoo Authority of Karnataka” (which was subsequently adopted by the Centre as the “Zoo Authority of India” for better management of zoos across the country).
As dreamt by Sri Chamarajendra Wadiyar, now this zoo has set before itself three basic agenda: breeding, education and research. It has started a club called “Friends of Mysore Zoo” by involving interested students who not only assist zoo-keepers on holidays but also study animal behaviour. There is no scope for further expansion of the zoo as many residential areas have come up around it. The Karanji tank, situated adjacent to the zoo is now being developed as a bird sanctuary.
In 1972, the state government handed over the zoo to the forest department and then to an autonomous body in 1979. Now the gate collection exceeds Rs 25 lakh per year, which indicates its growing popularity. A number of animals are procured from foreign zoos on an exchange programme, added to its glory.