Brush with the wild: Delhi Zoo

Wild about the wild? Then head to, where else but, the Delhi Zoo! Perhaps the finest in Asia with over 214 acres of recreated natural habitat, right in the heart of the city, this is one Indian zoo where wild animals are allowed to be in their feral best. Not a sign of malnourished monkeys, depressed lions or cramped cages anywhere. In fact, one is more likely to come across the catchy cacophony of about 2000 species of fauna from all over the world. With the enticing greenery and such lively company around, it’s small wonder that Delhi Zoo is also the most-favoured spot for picnics during winter.

A stroll through the entire stretch of the zoo can easily take up more than four hours. If that seems daunting and you prefer to preserve your energy instead, hiring a jeep is a good idea. But, like they say, there’s a certain charm in soaking it all in with a walk. Buy your tickets and arm yourself with enough drinking water before you enter the gates though. You’re up for one thirsty walk.

Say hello in birdie fashion to the lion-tailed macaque but don’t bother waiting for a reply. She’ll probably be too busy nibbling on the tit-bits lying around. Next, too macho to care, is the male black buck. Try chatting up the bulky gorilla sitting on his rock and he’ll oblige you with just an indignant toss of the head. All the animals here seem to be engrossed in their own worlds, and happily so. Could they be doing a “Madagascar”? Your guess is as good as ours.

A trip to the zoo will get you dekkos of birds, animals and reptiles ranging from the usual jackal, rhino, chimpanzee and parrot to the exotic Japanese Sikka deer, American caiman croc, white tiger, Australian emu and sloth bear.

The zoo has been delighting young and old alike for almost five decades now. Closed on Fridays, it’s open from 8 am to 6 pm during summer and 9 am to 5 pm during winter.