History of Thiruvananthapuram Zoological Park
Zoos are not merely enclosures that house animals; they are also spaces that preserve the best flora and fauna of the region and serves for the purpose of conservation and education. Trivandrum zoo has been a very important landmark and tourist attraction of the city for more than a century. The presence of the zoo has added to the cultural and ecological heritage of the city. Being a haven for a rich variety of flora and fauna (captive and free), the zoo compound provides a brief relief of greenery in the grey cityscape.
The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, with its thick canopy of trees, hill and dale landscape and a manmade lake provide the visitor with a calm and relaxing respite. It serves as host to kid's school or college trips and family picnics, and thereby, plays a great role on recreation and learning.
Over the years, it has undergone tremendous transformation under the guideline's issues by the Central Zoo authority, the major being the shift from cages to natural enclosures for most of the wildlife. The diversity and number of species have been reduced to make larger and improved habitats. A fully equipped veterinary hospital takes care of the health.
Swathi Thirumal's collection of Wild animals formed the genesis of the present zoo. His menagerie included Tigers, Panthers, Deer, Boars caught from the Travancore forest and many other species like an African Lioness and exotic birds.
The history of the Zoological Gardens is interwoven with that of the Observatory, Museum and Public gardens.
In 1840, General Cullen took charge as the Resident of Travancore. The seed of the Museum was sown in 1843. When he sent a memorandum to the Madras government for the establishment of subsidiary museums in the native states attached to Central museum in Madras
He continued to maintain his predecessor's menagerie. A society was formed in 1855 with the Maharaja Uthram Thirunal as Patron, Gen. Cullen as President, first Prince Ayilyam Thirunal as Vice President and Mr. Brown as Secretary. This was the nucleus of the Museum that opened to public in 1857.
The most significant event in the history of this complex of institutions was the arrival of John Allan Broun, who had been the Direction of Makerstoun Magnetic Observatory in Scotland in 1852. The museum, zoo and public garden owes its existence to the efforts and endeavor of Mr. Brown. The establishment of the Zoological gardens in 1859 with the collection animals in the Maharajas menagerie was completed. Mr. Brown retired in 1865 and was succeeded by Capt. H. Drury followed by Col. Ketchen who remained as the Secretary for 11 years.
During the four years of curatorship, he spent most of the development of the public gardens and the zoo. He renovated the Tiger enclosure, built new one for the Lions. The large aviary, the Bear pit and much landscaping was done during his time. Most importantly; the lake in the zoo was built by Rev. Pettigrew. He also designed and constructed the garden façade, the pavilion and the band stand.
Ferguson had a great enthusiasm for developing natural history collections. Ferguson appointed Mr F J Ingleby, as superintendent of the Public garden and under his expertise the splendid landscaping of the garden was done.