Clement Dsouza
The Mumbai Zoo is an ideal place to introduce your children and yourself to a variety of plant species, trees, animals and birds. At a walking distance from Byculla station, you will be amazed to witness a world of flora and fauna, encompassing more than 4000 trees and 850 varieties of plants which includes some rare and medicinal species. A place where you can relax beneath the cool shade of the oldest banyan tree or admire the mightiest African Baobabs, look for the slightest movement of a crocodile basking in the sun or hope for the Humboldt penguin to plunge into the water.
Named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s mother, the park is now officially known as ‘Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo’. The people of Mumbai having memories attached to the park still fondly call it ‘Rani Baug’. Established in 1861, spread over a 60-acre campus it is Mumbai’s only heritage botanical garden. Wide pathways and internal gardens comfortably accommodate the huge crowds that throng here.
In the bustling city of Mumbai, Rani Baug fulfills the physical and emotional needs to be amidst nature. Surrounded by trees and relaxing moments, the zoo is a must-visit for all age groups.
TOP ATTRACTIONS IN THE ZOO
1. THE HUMBOLDT PENGUINS
Introduced to Byculla Zoo in October 2016, the Humboldt Penguins from Coax Aquarium, Seoul remains the major attraction of the zoo. The zoo had witnessed such a massive crowd when the penguin enclosure was first opened to the public that the authorities had to close the entry gate to manage the rush. Even today I hear people enquiring about penguins at the counter before buying the ticket. Since its inception at the Zoo, the penguins have become a top attraction.
In eight years, the penguins at Mumbai Zoo have grown from 8 to 18. These medium-sized penguins from South Korea are excellent swimmers. They have black and white feathers, a large pink patch of flesh on their face and a unique black mark on their bellies. They are kept in dedicated cooled chambers that impersonate their natural habitat. People don’t mind waiting in line to see them swim or dive into the water.
TIP – Visit the zoo when it opens at 9:30 am and head straight towards the Penguin enclosure to avoid the crowd and observe them leisurely.
2. THE BIRDS PARADISE
“Ornithology is the science of all sciences” – Dr. Salim Ali.
The Birds Paradise is dedicated to the Birdman of India – Dr. Salim Ali’s contribution to the world of birds. To enhance the bird watching experience, the new initiative of setting up a birds paradise in a spacious enclosure was completed in 2021. It is a twin storey structure. On the first floor visitors can view the arboreal birds through glass viewing exhibits. The ground floor is for the administration and maintenance work of the zoo keepers and providing medical facilities to the birds.
There are six compartments for different species of birds. Each compartment is made as per the natural habitat of a bird species and has a spacious height allowing the birds to fly freely. Some parts of the upper portion are kept open for the birds to enjoy in the different seasons. The land is made of mud and planted with fruiting and medicinal plants. Their nests are cleaned periodically.
The enclosure provides an opportunity to view the birds from a close distance. You should visit this to see a pair of ‘Malabar Pied Hornbill’. This large, black-and-white bird with a large bill will surely attract one and all.
Near the exit gate of the zoo, there is another exhibit for Aquatic birds. Here you will walk on a wooden bridge inside the big enclosure where birds like crane, stork, heron fly above your head.
TIP – Read the Do’s and Don’ts before entering the enclosure and do not disturb the birds.
For your info – Apart from the caged birds, the botanical garden has recorded over 30 species of birds roaming freely in the campus.
3. THE ROYAL BENGAL TIGERS
The tiger enclosure is also one of the special attractions at the zoo, along with the bird aviaries and penguins. There are currently 3 tigers that roam freely in the well designed enclosed territory. Once I visited the zoo on a weekday and went straight towards the tiger enclosure at 10:00 am. The tigers were still caged when the authorities were placing chunks of meat at various points in the enclosure like trees and rocks. The cage was open and the graceful walk of a Royal Bengal Tiger left me speechless. The huge animal sniffing the scent of the meat came towards the tree, raised itself high to bring it down and ate it mindfully sitting on the grass.
You will also find some kind of your tiger moment. Either you can see it swim in the water, sleeping on a rock or roaming casually near the glass exhibit enthralling the audiences which goes frenzied seeing it coming nearer.
The tiger exhibit witnesses more rush as the day progresses. It is advisable to go early when the tigers are also active.
Opposite to the tiger enclosure a pair of leopards and hyena keep visitors busy.
UNIQUE THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT MISS
1. THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN
The zoo has internal gardens, from which, one has been converted into a breeding ground for butterflies. This has boosted the biodiversity of the botanical garden and zoo. The garden has host plants that attract butterflies which serves as food for caterpillars. There are also plants whose flowers produce abundant nectar for adult butterflies. September to November is the best time to go butterfly watching.
2. THE BAOBAB TREE
The two huge trees with short and thick trunks stand at the entrance of the Byculla zoo. These are the mightiest and iconic Baobabs from Africa, estimated to be around 500 years old. They bloom once a year between April and June. Monkeys enjoy the fruit of the tree. The Baobab can hold large quantities of water in their trunks. Stop and admire these gigantic trees which welcome you to the city’s only heritage botanical garden.
3. STATUE OF JIJAMATA & SHIVAJI
A lovely bronze statue of Bal Shivaji with his mother Jijamata catches attention at the centre of the botanical garden. Giving them a canopy is a beautiful bronze umbrella which was later erected in 1992.
4. DRINKING WATER FOUNTAIN OR ‘PYAAV’
‘Pyaavs’ are a unique facet of the socio-cultural heritage of Mumbai city. Built in erstwhile Bombay to provide drinking water facility to people, these structures gradually fell out of use with the advent of change in water supply system in the city. Two of the Pyaavs were restored and relocated to Rani Baug which still quenches the thirst of the visitors.
5. NOTABLE & UNIQUE TREES
The plant life at Rani Baug is very diverse. Take time and visit the botanical garden which has some beautiful and unique trees like Banyan (Vad), White Wood (Cajuput), Cannon Ball (Kailaspati), Pride of India (Taman), Lac (Kusum), Elephant Apple (Karmal), Cocoa (Koko), White Teak (Shivan), Badminton Ball (Chenduful), Tree of Heaven (Urvashi), Indian Butter Tree (Moh), Krishna’s Buttercup (Krishna Vad) and more.
Rani Baug for us is more than a zoo which is just a small part of the botanical garden. Rani Baug is a rightfully a green haven; a museum of trees.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT RANI BAUG
No other area in the island city has as many trees or diversity in species.
The Botanical Garden supports a diverse habitat of small mammals, birds and insects.
Specialised gardens like Japanese Garden, Rose Garden and Butterfly Garden attract visitors.
The Botanical Garden was conferred the Indian Heritage Society award in December 2008 at the hands of the Governor of Maharashtra.
It houses heritage monuments like the Sassoon Clock Tower, the Bhauji Daji Lad Museum, the Stone Elephant of Elephanta Caves, the Triupmhal Triple Arch entrance and Graeco-Roman style statues.
On an average, the zoo gets 8000 visitors per day going up to 50,000 on holidays. At 4.5 lakh, the zoo holds the highest visitor footfall record in May 2023.LIST OF ANIMALS IN THE ZOO (Updated Oct 2024)
Elephant, Bear, Leopard, Hyena, Jackal, Tiger, Sambar Deer, Hippo, Barking Deer, Swamp Deer, Spotted Deer, Humboldt Penguin, Turtle, Crocodile, Monkeys (Bonnet & Rhesus Macaque), Arboreal Birds, Aquatic Birds and Mongoose (which roams freely in the park)
COMING SOON…. Lion, Wolf & Otter
Being a nature lover, it is saddening to see the animals caged. We prefer observing wildlife in their natural habitats. However, not everybody is fortunate to go into the wild. If implemented with the right approach a zoo can provide an opportunity for people to see and learn about animals they may not have the chance to see in the wild. It should teach visitors and raise awareness about the importance of conservation and animal welfare by offering educational programs, tours, and exhibits.TIMINGS, RATES, LOCATION & OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
- The Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo is OPEN for visitors from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- The zoo is CLOSED for visitors every WEDNESDAY.
- In the case of Public Holiday on a Wednesday, Zoo is kept open on that day and is closed for visitors on the next day.
- The timing for morning walkers is from 6:00 am to 8:00 am. Monthly pass costs Rs 150.
- Ticket rates: Adult – Rs. 50 / Child (3 to 12 years) – Rs 25 / Family (Husband+Wife+2 children) – Rs. 100 / Adult (Foreign National) – Rs. 400 / Child (Foreign National) – Rs. 200 / Photography (DSLR) – Rs. 100 / Videography – Rs. 300
- Zoo entry is FREE for children below 12 years on every FRIDAY
- FREE ENTRY for senior citizens (above 60 years) and disabled people.
- The nearest railway station is Byculla on the central line. The zoo is at the walkable distance from Byculla Station East.
- PARKING available at a reasonable price. Rs. 20 for cars and Rs. 5 for two-wheelers.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Botanical Garden and Zoo is declared as a PLASTIC FREE ZONE. Refrain from carrying single use plastic. Carry your own water bottles and use cloth or paper bags instead of plastic bags. Use of single use plastic items is BANNED inside the zoo premises. FINE of Rs. 500/- for anybody found littering. Follow the rules and let’s come together for a cleaner and greener future.
AMENITIES & HERITAGE STRUCTURES AT THE ZOO
The Mumbai Zoo offers something for everyone. It has all the basic amenities in place for a family outing and senior citizens. Nature lovers and students of botany, architecture will surely find something of their interests.
| AMENITIES | HERITAGE STRUCTURES |
| Clean Toilets | David Sassoon Clock Tower |
| Cafeterias | Bhauji Daji Lad Museum |
| Drinking Water | Triumph Arch Entrance |
| Child Care Space | Statue of King Edward VII on Black Horse (Kala Ghoda) |
| Children’s Play Park | Statue of Shivaji and his mother Jijabai |
| Internal Gardens & Sitting Areas | Conservatory |
| Lady Frere’s Statue | |
| Band Stand | |
| Stone Elephant |
