Total views : 8530Centre of Excellence for Wildlife Care and Conservation Education
About Central Zoo
Our Mission
Our Vision
Continuously improve and innovate human wildlife relationship and appreciate the value of coexistence
Our Objective
Develop a center for recreation, conservation education and wildlife research within the given ideology of modern zoo philosophy
The main objective of the Zoo is to develop it as a center for recreation, conservation education and wildlife research within the given ideology of modern zoo philosophy. Central Zoo aims at making the Zoo a center of excellence for conservation education and wildlife research, as well as being financially stable. The Zoo has been continuing the Animal Collection and Management and Conservation Education Program simultaneously.
About Central Zoo
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.
Friends of Zoo (FOZ) & Environmental Clubs
Friends of the Zoo (FOZ) is a network of schools with a special membership-based programme designed and operated by NTNC-Central Zoo. At present this network comprises of over 200 schools in and around Kathmandu Valley. Every year, FOZ members actively engage in activities such as educational tours, trainings, competitions, cleanup camps and animal feeding programs that stimulate both awareness and action for wild animals and environmental protection.
Elsewhere likewise, there are over a hundred green force clubs, eco-clubs, and teacher’s forums formed under the initiation of NTNC that lead conservation activism in their respective local communities and beyond. These clubs and teacher’s forums motivate school children toward biodiversity conservation. They organize a range of conservation activities including rallies, signing and solidarity campaigns, street drama, poem competition, folk song, art competitions and wall magazine publication to disseminate conservation messages taking the collective agenda of environmental responsibility into action.