Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the much-awaited Thrissur Zoological Park in Puthur on Tuesday. | Photo credit: KKNAJEEB
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday (October 28, 2025) inaugurated the Thrissur Zoological Park, India’s first-ever designer zoo and Asia’s second largest, built amid the picturesque forest landscape of Puthur. Forest and Nature Conservation Minister AK Saseendran presided over the function.
The new park represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream – to shift the century-old Thrissur zoo from the cramped confines of Chembukkavu to a vast natural environment, the Chief Minister said. “It was possible because of the strong will and determination of the government,” he said.
Initiated in 2006 under the VS Achuthanandan-led government, the project was formally transferred to the forest department during the tenure of minister KB Ganesh Kumar in the Oommen Chandy government.
Kerala Thrissur 28/10/2025 Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday inaugurated the much awaited Thrissur Zoological Park at Puthur.KKNAJEEB | Photo credit: NAJEEB KK
“In 2016, the project gained new momentum with the support of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) along with a clear plan and vision for the park,” the Chief Minister noted.
Built at a cost of ₹ 371 crore – including ₹ 331 crore from KIIFB and ₹ 40 crore from the State Plan Fund – the park has since received an additional ₹ 17 crore for further development.
Designed by world-renowned Australian zoo architect Jon Coe, Thrissur Zoological Park reimagines the concept of a zoo as a haven of coexistence rather than confinement. Created as a ‘zoo without bars’, it replicates natural habitats from across India, offering an immersive wilderness experience for both animals and visitors.
Spanning 338 acres, the park features nine themed zones and a dedicated conservation area, each representing distinct ecological regions – from the arid landscape of the Zululand Zone to the misty expanses of the Shola Grass Zone. “Each zone is a miniature version of its parent ecosystem,” project officials say.
The park will also include a petting zoo and a hologram-based virtual zoo, which is being developed through a public-private partnership. KSRTC minibuses will operate inside the park for visitors, while double-decker buses will connect it with the city.
Animals from the existing Thrissur Zoo have already been relocated to the new facility, while efforts are underway to bring in more species from other Indian states and abroad.
Test operation
There will be a limited trial run for selected visitors over the next two months before the park will be fully open to the public in January.
Ministers K. Rajan, R. Bindu, KN Balagopal, Roshy Augustine and K. Krishnankutty, MPs, MLAs, Mayor and officials attended the event.
Published – 28 October 2025 20:45 IST
