A short trip was on my mind to test my photography skills and learn my new DSLR, Nikon D5600. Pondering about the locations especially natural ones, Chhatbir clicked my mind. I was thrilled with my first experience shooting the animals. Although it is nearby the Chandigarh, but over the years, I had never got a chance to visit and I was feeling like a child to rush inside and relish my sweet childhood memories.
Chhatbir zoo is a zoological park situated in village Chatt. Named after the governor of Punjab who envisioned it, Mohendra Chaudhry Zoological Park continues to support conservation of endangered and rare species of wildlife through captive breeding, as well as, encouraging research and awareness on wildlife. It is situated very near to Chandigarh and is an ideal place to spend your day with beautiful animals and birds. It is around 20 km from Sector 17, Chandigarh and around 30 minutes drive. The zoo is spread in 505 acres and has around 103 species and 1241 animals. The park has been credited with successful captive-breeding of the gharial, a critically endangered variety of crocodile distinguished by its long and narrow snout.
The Zoo remains open 6 days a week except for Mondays.
- Zoo hours – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Zoo remains closed on – 26th January, 15th August, 2nd October.
Tickets:
Children 3-12 Years (Height Under 3 ft.)
- Children 3-12 Years (Height Under 3 ft.): Rs 20
- Above 12 Years (Height 3 ft. & above) 12: Rs 60
- Lion Safari & Deer Safari: Rs 75 per head (Children below 3 years Free)
Equipment:
- Still Camera: Rs 150
- Video Camera: Rs 250
Major attractions:
Lion Safari
Lion Safari gives a thrilling experience to the visitors where the king of the jungle roams freely. The lion safari is spread over an area of 8 hectares of natural forest having lion houses on one edge. A large number of peacocks also roam freely inside the lion safari which is an added attraction to the visitors.
Deer Safari
The zoo has a magnificent drive-in deer safari where Sambars, Spotted Deer and Black Bucks roam together in a habitat which could be the envy of their wild brethren. The deer safari is spread over an area of 12 hectares with a lot of natural vegetation. It is a photographer’s delight.
Nocturnal House
The zoo houses various nocturnal animals in one nocturnal house where the nocturnal ambience has been created to exhibit the proper behaviour of nocturnal species. Presently it houses 6 species in its collection.
Reptile House
The zoo has a separate Reptile House to showcase the reptile species. At present, it has 6 species in its display. Like Python, Cobra, Rat Snake, Yellow Monitor Lizard, Common Monitor Lizard & Checkered Keelback.
Zoo Map: Source – http://chhatbirzoo.gov.in/virtual-zoo/
The main key attraction of the zoo are the big cats, The Royal Bengal Tigers. All the animals have been kept in open so as to offer a natural habitat. Royal Bengal Tiger is the first animal you will spot while you make way into the zoo. No vehicle is allowed inside the zoo however you can hire a battery operated ferry vehicle at the entrance itself for
- Rs. 60/- Per Head for Adults
- For Children below 3 years it is free
The zoo authorities are very particular about littering. No plastic packets such as chips etc are allowed in the zoo. Also if want to have a packaged drinking water bottle along you have to pay an extra security of Rs. 30/- which is refundable after you bring the bottle along after visiting the zoo. I really liked this concept and it really works. You won’t find any plastic waste littering here and there in the zoo. There are no hawkers just two or three food joints.
Some tips
- Do not litter the zoo grounds with food or food packets.
- Do not disturb the animals in any way or offer food to animals.
- Private vehicles are not allowed inside the park, however one can use a bicycle by paying a small fee of Rs. 20/-
Below are some shots taken by me using my Nikon D5600 with Nikon 55-300 mm lens.
It takes your full day to visit entire zoo at once. So better start early in the morning. After spending my entire day at the zoo I was wondering that how these intellectually superior creatures are confined in a particular area. But I thought to myself that it is a safe place for these beautiful animals to protect them from humans.
Hope you have liked the content. Do share your feedback in the comment section.
Travel | Wander | Explore 
Great article. These pictures are absolutely beautiful!
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Thanks !!
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OMG YOU put me to shame in the photography world, that is for sure! Your photos are stunning. They remind me of my safari in Africa last year, minus the tigers – there are no tigers in Africa!
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Haha.. thanks for appreciating !!! Stay tuned more to come !!!
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These pictures are BEAUTIFUL! They are crystal clear and capture the moment perfectly! Nice job. I love the shots of the tiger!
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Thanks for admiring !!!
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Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece of information online and I really hope you write more like this one. I love the pictures too. Diya and Aman are lovely
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Thanks !!! Yup I’ll write more , stay tuned !!!
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These pictures are phenomenal! Did you take these yourself? Beautiful
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Thanks !!! Yes I clicked them !!
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Thank you so much for sharing this post.I really felt like I’ve visited the zoo ;the pictures are really awesome ❤
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Thanks 😃
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Amazing images and I love that this post is so detailed. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks !
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Wow! This looks like a perfect stroll for me. I miss going outdoors. Been locked up at work for quite sometime now.
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Thanks !! Just go when you want !!! We keep on planning but actually the trips we undertake are mostly the unplanned ones !!!
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Thank you for this detailed information. It’s really interesting to learn more about and what a beautiful photos , i love it!
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Thanks !!!
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wow, great pictures! Especially the tigers – amazing shots! I also love having days like these – spending the whole day experimenting with the camera while being outdoors. This is so much fun 🙂
Great to read about the treatment of plastic waste at the zoo – we need to see more of this all over the world.
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Thanks !!! Yup the authorities are very much concerned about the environment. Stay tuned !!! A lot more to come.
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amazing pictures and detailed information! very useful! and that Royal Bengal Tigress!! amazing
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Thanks !!! Yup she is a star attraction !!!
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Wow! I like this kind of photography. Your photos are stunning!
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Thanks !! I am still learning !!!
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Awesome pictures!! The photo of the Tiger… wow wow wow. Followed your blog 🙂
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Thanks !!! Stay tuned many more to come !!
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Damn! Dope shots!!
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Thanks !!!
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Wow these pictures are so amazing!!!! So full of color and detail. They really make you appreciate how awesome the animals are
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Yup, they are so lovely !!!
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The pictures are truly amazing!
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This looks like a great place to visit. Awesome stuff!
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Wow… Amazing photography
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Thanks !!!
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This looks like great place to visit, and you can see the animals are happy here, also is that a white Bengal tiger, my god it is so beautiful. And it is fairly cheap I must say, with so much things to do, thank you for sharing, and the photos are so stunning, hope to see more.
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If I had a cool Nikon like you, I might choose Chhatbir – A Zoological Park to take pictures. Your images are great.
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Awesome shot, I love the colors and the framing!
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Amazing photos. My kids would love this place.
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Wow, what amazing photos! I love the cover photo with the Royal Bengal Tiger licking his lips!
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Looking at your photos made me appreciate my local zoo even more. The animals look well cared for and your photos are captivating.
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Yes, you should visit it. Thanks for appreciating !!!
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Those photographs are stunning! What an incredible place to practise your photography!
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Awesome photography !!! The leopard shots have come out so well !!!
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