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 1134 animals of 128 species including 768 birds of 75 species, 48 reptiles of 12 and 318 mammals of 41 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. Since its transfer to Wildlife Department 1982 there have occurred a number of changes in housing the exhibits, layout of buildings, landscape pattern, administration etc. With these initiative/development it become self-financing organization and now it is self-reliant. It is located in the heart of the city and is easily accessible to the people belonging to all walks of life.
Lahore Zoo can boast of a collage of old and young trees; 450 trees of 45 species make the environment worth living and visiting; a complete ecosystem with different wild birds species, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and the invertebrates.
