Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden

Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden is a large zoo park in Junagadh's Dolatpara neighborhood. It is also famous as Junagadh Zoo. It is among the must-include locations in places to visit in Junagadh. 

Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden, famous as Sakkarbaug Zoo or Junagadh Zoo, is a 200-hectare (490-acre) zoo in Junagadh, Gujarat, India. It opened in 1863. The zoo produces purebred Asiatic lions for the Indian and international endangered species captive breeding programs for critically endangered animals. 

Wild free-roaming Asiatic lions have become extinct across most of Asia. They are now only found in the neighboring Gir Forest.

Animals in Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden

The zoo produces purebred Asiatic lions for the Indian and international endangered species captive breeding programs for critically endangered animals.

The zoo administrators are well-known for having wild and free-moving Asiatic lions. They have been eradicated from most of Asia and can only be found in the neighboring Gir Forest. Aside from Asiatic lions, the Junagadh Zoo is home to 700 mammalian species, 115 reptiles, and 200 hundred birds. 

The zoo's principal animal species include chousingha or four-horned antelopes, Indian leopards, chital, sambar, blackbucks, black panther, hippopotamus, Bengal tiger, elephant, spotted deer, flying squirrel, monkey, and so on.

Sakkarbaug Zoo became the first zoo in India to house African cheetahs in 2009. It traded three of its lions for two sets of cheetahs from Singapore. In 2011, Mysore Zoo gave the zoo Indian gaur, Malabar giant squirrels, marmosets, and green pheasants in exchange for a pair of Asian lions. 

Several bird species include Malabar pheasant, red-breasted partridge, geese, swan, and duck.

In 2003, the zoo's managers opened a natural history exhibit in a massive hall of the veterinary hospital. The museum opened with the remains of two Asiatic lions and panthers, deer, wild boar, antelope, blackbuck, blue bull, and spotted deer. 

Eggs, beaks, and feathers from other birds were also on display. The museum routinely organizes seminars and travel workshops for tourists.

The best time to visit

The best time to visit Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden in Junagadh, Gujarat, is between October and March. It is a zoo worth visiting for the Junagadh tour package.