(This is going to be a three part picture heavy post and I know I have published it in a reverse order. )
Decades ago, the only place to visit in Ahmedabad was Lake Kankaria and the zoo around it... When I was 8, my parents took me there and I still have memories of that trip, especially of Bal Vatika and Nagina Vaadi.
Last weekend, we were destined to be in Rajasthan for three days vacation but somehow, the plan did not materialize. Whole multimedia gang was upset about it and was in a mood to spend at least half a day away from the computers. So, we decided to visit the newly renovated Lake Kankaria and the zoo.
Me and Akshar picked up Bhakti Senior (Anand's daughter) from her place and met up Kunal at his place.
Yogi soon arrived...
And then Ghanny's family...
Kiran was running late and he would join us in zoo.
At the entrance of the zoo...
L to R: Akshar, Yogi on railing, Nishtha with Bhakti Jr, Bhakti Sr with Mahima, Kuns on railing and Ghanny...
The zoo was created by Reuben David in 1953. He was highly respected person and I have a faint memory of seeing him in my last visit.
This is his office from where he oversaw the construction of the complex from 1951 to 1954.
We were guests of the zoo and were attended by the vet of the zoo Dr. Kacha. He did all the arrangements for us. He volunteered to be our tour guide for the first part of the visit.
These monkeys haven't changed from the very first day of this zoo... They are the famous ones of Mahatma Gandhi - Hear no evil, Speak no evil and See no evil...
Seems the signs inside the zoo have not been changed since my last visit few decades back...
After visiting few cages of birds, we finally arrived at some exciting locations... This crocodile was about 13 ft long and looked fierce even when he was sleeping... In this pond, there were 13 crocodiles. Dr. Kacha told that recently, two of them fought very badly and one was seriously injured.
This is the biggest hippo in India and is a father of the recently born daughter in next compound...
It was feeding time for these mother and daughter when we reached there... The one close to us was a daughter.
Cleanliness of the zoo was remarkably higher then expected. Credit goes to such workers...
... and dustbins like these.
First half of the day is usually a feeding time for most animals and thus they are inside their feeding cages...
And in second half of the day, they are out.
I don't remember this white dear's scientific name but it looked very cute even from a distance.
One fact which highly disappointed me was a visible cruelty with this elephant Ashok. Both of his legs were chained with wall as well as together that it can not sit down. Even both rear legs were tied together. I don't know why it was like this.
Later in the afternoon, while we were waiting for the animals to come out, we decided to have a walk on the border of Lake Kankaria.
This is Nagina Vaadi in the center of the lake.
Boating is a popular entertainment here but visibly over-commercialized with such a big advertisement.
This paddle boat is also famous but I think its badly designed. The passenger in the front just cant see anything sideways...
Mini train ride on the perimeter of the lake is very popular too. We wanted to ride it but the waiting was over an hour in hot afternoon and thus, we dropped the idea.
The light posts and the sound system were very professional.
The second entrance to the zoo complex... It seems influenced by the Chinese design.
Overall, it was very interesting and fun time for all of us. Next post will be uncaged animals moments of the zoo.
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