Central Zoo, located in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, was established in 1932 by the late Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana as a private facility. In 1951, its management was transferred to the Government of Nepal. Since 1995, the Government of Nepal has entrusted the management of Central Zoo to the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) for a period of 60 years.
Currently, Central Zoo houses approximately 1400 animals representing around 120 different species. Beyond its role as a traditional zoo, it also functions as a rescue and rehabilitation centre for injured and confiscated wildlife. The Central Zoo is committed to ensuring animal welfare through quality food, habitat, enrichment, proper treatment, and dedicated care. It also plays a vital role in conservation education. One of its flagship programs. Friends of Zoo (FOZ), has proven to be a highly effective platform for engaging students in conservation education. Since 1995, the program has reached more than 500 schools and over one million students and visitors, raising awareness and fostering conservation values.
In addition to educational efforts, the zoo is involved in research activities and capacity-building initiatives for university students and government line agencies. It also prioritizes visitor’s satisfaction through various initiatives including gardening and greening programs, provision of safe drinking water, child care room, traditional resting places and proper waste management. Central Zoo continues to serve as an important centre for ex-situ wildlife conservation, education, research, and public engagement in Nepal.
