Nandan
Kanan means '"garden of pleasure", and this
combination of zoo, botanical garden and sanctuary
20 km from Bhubaneswar, in the splendid environs of
the Chandaka Forest, along the rippling waters of
the Kanjia lake, fits the description. The zoo has
created history in many ways. In 1967, a wild female
tiger approached Nandan Kanan, and scaling a high
fence, she crept around until she found the tiger
enclosure. She then climbed up a concrete wall, and
leapt down into the enclosure, thus perhaps becoming
the only wild animal in existence who has ever opted
to join in a zoo. In commenting on this rare occasion,
the National Geographic magazine pointed out that
Orissa must be the only place in the world with enough
sophistication to have a modern, well designed zoo,
and enough tigers to stock it by voluntary membership.
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Nandan
Kanan also has the distinction of the first captive-breeding
center for gharial crocodiles, a task facilitated by
the gift of an adult male by the Frankfurt Zoo. The
zoo has also given a new lease of life to one of the
rarest creatures of the world - the white tiger, with
important research and concerted efforts on to breed
them in the natural environs of Nandan Kanan. This regal
animal first came to Nandan Kanan in 1980 when the first
litter of white tigers were born to Deepak and Ganga,
two normal tawny tigers. Subsequent litters of white
tigers have been distributed to Zoo's both in India
as well as abroad. Currently Nandan Kanan has one of
the largest collections in the world with over 34 white
tigers.
In addition to the white tigers, endangered species
such as the Asiatic Lion, three Indian crocodilians,
sanghai, lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Indian
pangolin, mouse deer and countless birds, reptiles,
and fish have been breeding successfully here. There
is also a successful Black Panther breeding programme.
In all, over 67 kinds of mammals, 18 varieties of reptiles
and 81 species of birds co-exist in the deeply forested
boundaries of Nandan Kanan.
The 34 aquaria, which are home to a large variety of
freshwater fish, and the Reptile park, home to numerous
species of crocodiles, lizards, turtles and snakes,
which is guarded by the image of a life sized Tyrannosaurus
Rex, are perpetual crowd-pullers. Safaris for viewing
the white tigers and lions in the natural habitat in
specially designed protected buses are added attractions.
The rope-way connecting the Zoo with the Botanical Gardens
over the lake, the boating facilities, the Lion Safari
(a wide stretch of open ground infested with Lions where
the visitors get to see them in their natural habitat)
and the toy train for children have added new feathers
to Nandan Kanan's cap, making it a hot family favourite.
Nandan Kanan, with its Zoo, the beautiful Botanical
Gardens, the lake, nature trails and facilities for
amusement, is a definite must for all visitors to Orissa.
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