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