Published : 15 Nov 2025, 07:31 AM
Updated : 28 Aug 2026, 01:29 AM
Chattogram Zoo, covering 4.05 hectares of land, will soon double in size with a major expansion.
Authorities are adding 3.24 hectares to the zoo's existing area, bringing the total space to 7.29 hectares.
Along with the expansion, plans for a new animal museum are in progress, which will focus on education and research while introducing new animals.
Renovation work has already started, with the new 3.24-hectare addition set to include an aviary, enclosures for elephants, giraffes, and cheetahs, and animal habitats designed to resemble their natural environments.
The zoo aims to provide more space for both animals and visitors, enhancing the experience with new walking areas and scenic surroundings.
Shahadat Hossain Shuvo, deputy curator of Chattogram Zoo, shared that the new area features hills, jungles, and ponds, which will remain intact during the expansion.
He said, "Visitors will not only enjoy a larger area but also a more picturesque environment."
The new aviary will span 200 feet in length and 30 feet in height, allowing people to walk through it and experience wildlife up close.
Shuvo added that this will enhance the educational aspect of the zoo, with plans to relocate some existing enclosures to allow for more space.
The zoo, originally established in 1989 in the city’s Foy’s Lake area, was previously criticised for being outdated and underfunded.
Following years of neglect, the zoo underwent a renovation in 2016, which led to infrastructure improvements and an increase in the number of animals.
The zoo, originally established in 1989 in the city’s Foy’s Lake area, was previously criticised for being outdated and underfunded. Following years of neglect, the zoo underwent a renovation in 2016, which led to infrastructure improvements and an increase in the number of animals.
The current expansion and upgrades will be funded entirely by the zoo’s own revenue, which includes ticket sales and other income. As part of the development, two new roads are being built: one to the west, 1,070 feet long and 12 feet wide, and another at the northwest corner, measuring 2,000 feet in length and 9 feet in width.
The zoo is also planning to build a new two-storey building that will house the administration office on the first floor and the animal museum on the ground floor.
The museum will display animal skeletons, preserved skins, and educational material, offering visitors, especially students, the chance to learn more about wildlife and conservation efforts.
Shuvo also mentioned some security concerns regarding the construction of the new roads, noting that after a political shift in August 2024, outsiders had entered the zoo and looted several items.
The situation, however, has now stabilised, and work has resumed.
Currently, the zoo is home to over 520 animals across 68 species, including Bengal tigers, lions, and a herd of elephants.
It also boasts 45 species of birds and remains one of the most popular recreational spots for residents of Chattogram.
