The zoo in Nainital is about 2 Km from the Tallital bus stand and is perched at a height of 2100 mts above sea level on the hills of Sher-Ka-Danda which means 'Tiger's Ridge'. Now, it has been named as Pundit Govind-Ballabh-Pant High-Altitude Zoo where the Mountain quail, now extinct was seen for the last time in 1876. Established in 1984, it was opened to public only from 1st June 1995 onwards and spans over a large open area that is inhabited with mammals, pheasants and a variety of Flora.
The entry fee for an Adult is Rs. 25/-, a child is Rs. 10/- and all camera types is Rs. 25/- each excluding the Professional video camera that charges Rs. 200/- each; however, entry for physically handicapped and senior citizens are free and students especially get free entry on Zoo Foundation day, Wildlife Week and World Environment day. The zoo also remains closed on Mondays and all national holidays including Holi and Diwali.
Amongst Mammals, the zoo homes the famous Siberian Tiger [Snow Tiger], Snow Leopard, Japanese Macaque, Himalayan Black Bear, Goral, Himalayan Martin, Bonnet Macaque, Tibetan Wolf, Serow, Barking Deer, Sambar, Leopard and the Himalayan Palm Civet.
In Pheasants, it homes the Golden Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, Jungle Fowl, Bornean Fire Back Pheasant, Indian Pea Fowl, Eagle Owl, Steppe Eagle, Brown Eared Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, Lineated Kalij Pheasant, Lady Amherest's Pheasant and Reeves Pheasant. Species of Birds found are the babblers, magpies, jays, tits, barbets, woodpeckers, hill partridge, thrushes, Himalayan griffon, vultures and many more. Wooden nest have been built along with suspended feeders for birds to nest.
The zoo mainly has a variety of Oak species like Berberis, Rhododendron, Ilex, Acer, Cornus, Crataegus, Lyonia and plants like the Rose, Thuja, Salvia, Acacia, Spartium, Jasminum, Hibiscus, Horse chestnuts and many more.
The zoo has become an important place in the map of tourist attractions and is being visited by numerous tourist and students across the globe with the purpose of educating themselves about the amazing plethora of flora and fauna that Nainital has to offer. This zoo is also kept polythene free to avoid any sort of pollution that can cause harm to these animals and birds.
The rules in the zoo has to be strictly adhered to like feeding the animals is not allowed, Teasing or disturbing them prohibited and prosecuted under the law, Carrying non-biodegradable materials as plastic, Polythene etc. is not allowed, not keeping the zoo premises clean and not using dust-bins, carrying eatables [Liquids like water and juices only allowed], Radios, Loudspeakers, Weapons or arms and Tapes etc. not allowed; Hence, vandalism is strictly prohibited.
