Odisha Govt Renames Zoo at Motijharan as “Sambalpur zoo & Rescue Centre”

Sambalpur: The Forest Department has renamed the zoo at Motijharan, Sambalpur as “Sambalpur zoo & Rescue Centre” for more awareness on wildlife, more understanding of zoo and for more visitors to Sambalpur.

One botanical garden of 4hactre area with more than 6000 plants of different variety was started by Hirakud Wildlife Division last year which is acting as a greenbelt for the animals of zoo also adding to visitor flow.

The zoo was earlier named as Deer Park & Wild animal conservation centre which is now renamed as Sambalpur zoo. The zoo at the heart of Sambalpur was established in 1980 with 13 hectare area. Now the zoo has 27enclosures and 15 species and 333 animals. 5 number of Schedule -1 species are there i.e leopard, sloth bear, chousingha, python and peacock. Number of deer is highest being 123, Sambar 41 numbers & 4 Sloth bears in the zoo.

Zoo acts as centre for awareness and education on wildlife for general public. Better visitor amenities like more toilets, drinking water, cafeteria, exclusive parking, children’s park, complete renovation of drainage and also of enclosures have been done in last one year. Every Saturday story telling sessions by eminent speakers on wildlife and conservation is also been taken up by Hirakud Division authorities.