India GOTirupati Zoo: Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park
The zoo in Tirupati is the Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, in Tirupati, on the edge of the Seshachalam forest. It is very large: the park covers about 1,255 hectares, of which about 289 are developed for visitors, and it holds over a thousand animals of more than eighty species. It is closed on Tuesdays, and the zoo offers EV vehicles and hire bicycles for getting round.
What to see
The park opened in 1987 and was laid out on a mythological theme, with animals in wide enclosures meant to resemble their natural habitat. The inscription at the entrance, Beejam maam sarvabhootanam (I am the eternal seed of all creation), sets the idea: God in every living being.
The zoo counts 31 species of mammals, 46 of birds and 7 of reptiles. The sections it lists:
- Herbivore safari: a 34-acre (13.3 ha) enclosure with spotted deer, blackbuck, nilgai, sambar and peafowl.
- Lion and tiger safaris, and the Bengal and white tigers, Asiatic lions, leopards and a jaguar.
- Asian elephants, hippopotamus and Indian gaur.
- Smaller carnivores: Indian wolf, wild dog, striped hyena, jackal and sloth bear.
- Reptiles: gharial, mugger and saltwater crocodiles, and the star tortoise.
- Birds: a butterfly park, Parrot World and a pheasantry, with pelicans, painted storks, macaws and lovebirds.
The zoo also breeds the grey junglefowl in a conservation centre set up with the Central Zoo Authority, with a focus on the fauna of the Eastern Ghats, and takes in rescued and orphaned wild animals.
How to get round the park
The developed part alone covers about 289 hectares. The zoo offers several ways round, each with its own ticket:
- Battery (EV) vehicles with a separate ticket per person.
- Bicycles and e-bicycles for hire by the hour, or your own bicycle on a ticket that includes entry.
- Your own car, allowed in on a separate four-wheeler ticket.
- A safari ticket for the safari enclosures.
The current fees are on the zoo's tickets page and in the card above. Inside are drinking water, toilets, a canteen with benches, a souvenir shop and a children's play area.
Before you go
What the zoo itself advises, and its rules.
- Not on a Tuesday — The zoo is closed every Tuesday. Tickets are sold during opening hours only.
- Come in the cooler hours — The zoo suggests 10:00–12:00 and 15:00–16:30: birds are active in the morning and mammals towards dusk, and on a hot summer day many animals rest in their shelters. November to February is the comfortable season; see best time to visit Tirupati.
- Leave plastic and pets behind — Pets are not allowed, plastic must not be left inside, and feeding or teasing the animals is forbidden. No music players or ball games either.
- In town, below the hill — The zoo is in Tirupati itself, so it fits a day in town before or after the trip up to Tirumala. Other animals of the region: animals around Tirupati.
FAQ
What is the entry fee for Tirupati Zoo?
About ₹70 for adults and ₹30 for children aged 3 to 12; foreign visitors pay about ₹200 and ₹100. Safari, EV vehicle, camera and vehicle tickets are extra.
What are the Tirupati Zoo timings?
The zoo opens at 08:30; its pages give closing as 16:45 or 17:00, and it is closed on Tuesdays. The zoo recommends 10:00–12:00 and 15:00–16:30 for seeing the animals.
Is a car allowed in Tirupati Zoo?
Yes, on a separate four-wheeler ticket, about ₹750. Parking outside is also available, and there are EV vehicles and hire bicycles inside.
How many animals are there in Tirupati Zoo?
The zoo gives 1,071 animals of 84 species: 31 species of mammals, 46 of birds and 7 of reptiles.
Is Tirupati Zoo worth visiting?
It is a large park of over a thousand animals, with lion, tiger and herbivore safaris. The zoo suggests 10:00–12:00 and 15:00–16:30, when the animals are more active.
Sources (10)
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.
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