The Amirthi Zoological Park, located on the outskirts of Vellore Corporation limits, will be refurbished with additional spacious enclosures, civic amenities for visitors including food courts, water taps, seating arrangements and washrooms.Officials of the State Forest Department said that the zoo has been classified as a mini-zoo since its inception in 1967. “A Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared to provide additional facilities for wildlife and visitors, who are mostly school students, in the zoo. We are also awaiting a nod from Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to get a young male leopard under the animal exchange programme,” T.K. Ashok Kumar, District Forest Officer (DFO), told The Hindu.At present, the zoo has waterfalls, birds, snakes, porcupines, crocodiles, white peacocks, star tortoises and about 150 spotted deer. A spacious lawn, children’s park and an interpretation centre are other attractions.On an average, the zoo registers a footfall of 200-300 visitors every day. As per plan, the existing 22 enclosures, which have mostly reptiles and peacocks, will be doubled to provide more space for wild species. Additional sheds with better tree shades will be built in the spacious premises.The entire existing water pipelines will be re-laid to ensure uninterrupted water supply to enclosures and visitors. Water taps and sprinklers will be set up inside the enclosures to beat the heat during summer. More species will be displayed for visitors with their details. For visitors, a separate lawn with adequate seating arrangements, food courts near big enclosures and a children play area will be set up.At present, most enclosures are located within 10 hectares of the premises. In the proposed plan, the zoo will be extended to its 20 hectares with extra enclosures. As part of cost-effective measures, a separate fodder plot, covering at least five hectares, will be developed inside the zoo to cultivate greens, fruit-bearing trees and vegetables that are fed for animals in the enclosures.A female jackal will be brought from big zoos like Vandalur to pair with the existing lone male jackal at the zoo. Also, a young male leopard will also enthrall visitors at the zoo soon. Adequate space has been identified for a leopard in the zoo. As per norms, a leopard enclosure should consist of a cage, which should be 200 sq.metres, an open area and a buffer zone to ensure safety of visitors and the animal. In other words, 1.5 acres is required for a leopard enclosure.Earlier, VOC Park Zoo in Coimbatore gave mugger crocodiles, star tortoises, rat snakes to Amirthi Zoo after Coimbatore zoo was closed. Prior to it, the zoo got a Sambar deer and a few pelicans from Vandalur Zoo in 2019.Published - August 01, 2025 12:57 am IST