At the time of India's independence, Delhi had no zoo. In 1951, the Indian Board of Wildlife (now the National Board for Wildlife) emphasized establishing zoos in major cities, including Delhi. Recognizing the need for recreation and conservation education, an ad-hoc committee, including Indira Gandhi, proposed a zoo near Purana Quila in 1953. The Central Government financed the project, appointing a forest officer as superintendent in 1955. Major Weinmann and later Mr. Carl Hagenbeck contributed to the zoo's design, focusing on open moat enclosures. Construction progressed by 1959, and the zoo formally opened on November 1. Initially called Delhi Zoo, it became the National Zoological Park in 1982. The zoo provides a habitat resembling natural environments, aiding in breeding endangered species for potential release into the wild.

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