Chennai’s Vandalur zoo is preparing for a significant increase in visitors this summer, implementing various enhancements to accommodate the influx.
The numbers
Chennai’s Arignar Anna Zoological Park, commonly known as Vandalur Zoo, is gearing up for a busy summer holiday season, anticipating a surge in visitor numbers. Last year, the zoo recorded an impressive 3.20 lakh visitors during the April-May period, and this year, it expects to welcome even more, with projections indicating 2.80 lakh visitors in the same timeframe.
To accommodate the expected influx, the zoo has undertaken significant improvements, including resurfacing roads and revamping rest sheds. These enhancements aim to provide a better experience for the approximately 4,000 average weekday visitors the zoo typically sees.
Zoo officials are optimistic about the increasing footfall. Manish Meena, a spokesperson for the zoo, stated, “This very clearly shows that visitor footfall to the zoo is going up every year during summer holidays.” The zoo’s management is also focusing on the welfare of its animals, introducing various enrichments to combat boredom among the captive wildlife.
Among the new features are elevated wooden-plank feeding platforms for baboons and a specially designed wooden cot-like structure for the newly arrived Himalayan black bears, allowing them to slide and play. These additions not only enhance the animals’ living conditions but also provide visitors with a more engaging experience.
Meanwhile, the weather in Chennai has been warm and humid, with a minimum temperature of 26°C and a maximum of 34°C recorded on March 19, 2026. The air quality index (AQI) in the city is currently at 95, categorized as satisfactory, which is favorable for outdoor activities, including visits to the zoo.
In addition to the zoo’s preparations, Chennai’s Anna University has been in the spotlight for its academic contributions. A total of 328 teaching fellows have served as temporary assistant professors at the university for over a decade, many of whom have completed or are pursuing PhDs. These teaching fellows have played a vital role in the development of colleges and the progress of students, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to academic excellence.
As the summer holidays approach, both the zoo and Anna University are making strides to enhance their offerings. Observers are keen to see how the zoo’s visitor numbers will compare to previous years and whether the new features will attract even more guests. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact visitor projections, but the anticipation continues to build as the season unfolds.
