Established in 1872, the Lahore Zoo is  one of the oldest zoos in the world. It started as a small aviary that was donated  by Lal Mahundra Ram. Gradually it developed and its animal  collection also increased, today the Zoo houses about 1381 animals of 136 species  including 996 birds of 82 species, 49 reptiles of 8   and 336 mammals of 45 species. It remained under the management of Lahore Municipal  Corporation from 1872 to 1923. Thereafter, its control was given to Deputy Commissioner, Lahore until 1962. Then its management was placed under  the Livestock and  Dairy Development Department. Finally the management of Lahore Zoo was  entrusted to the Wildlife & Parks Department in 1982. During the period 1872 to 1982,  it remained a small entity with very little development taking place. A plaque near the entrance to the zoo reads, “The aviary was presented to the Municipal  Committee of Lahore by Lala Mela Ram in  March 1872