For seven years the tiger Rudra, shining in the emerald forest with his orange coat, ruled the forest areas of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary without challenge.
But a fierce territorial duel with another big cat for space and survival caused it to lose all its canine teeth, with which it used to bite food and fight its rivals.
Ostriches that have been introduced to the Zululand Zone of Thrissur Zoological Park. , Photo courtesy: Najeeb KK
With the extinction of dogs, his biting power was lost and he was deprived of the ability to hunt in the forest. Weakened by hunger, Rudra began to wander beyond the edge of the forest and look for cattle and other easy prey in the human settlements of Surabhikkavala, Thanni Theruvu and Vadanakkavala near Pullapalli in Wayanad district.
The presence of the big cat in human settlements created fear and people sought to capture the animal and remove it from the area.
A leopard in Thrissur Zoological Park. , Photo courtesy: Najeeb KK
Eventually, Rudra was trapped in a cage installed by forest officials at Vadanakkavala in February 2024, ending his solitary forage.
Re-liberating the tiger was not an option for wildlife managers, as they feared the animal would not be able to survive in the wild and might return to settlements in search of prey. No one could think of the possibility of it returning to human settlements, as there was also the possibility of it attacking humans.
Ultimately it was decided to transfer the animal to the Thrissur Zoological Park in Puthur, one of the largest zoological parks in Asia. This proposal was widely welcomed as it gave the animal the option to roam freely in open spaces close to nature instead of being confined to a tight cage.
A view of Thrissur Zoological Park, Puthur. , Photo courtesy: Najeeb KK
Explaining the idea of the park, Revenue Minister K. “The park is not a place to lock up animals, but to give them a respectful, natural life and help people understand their place in the ecosystem,” says Rajan.
On October 28, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the park, marking the beginning of an important phase in Kerala’s wildlife care, conservation and education programmes.
For almost three decades, the idea of a large zoo in Thrissur had been floating around. The old zoo, which is spread over 13.5 acres in the heart of the city and has been established for more than a century, was overcrowded and outdated, with more than 450 animals confined to enclosures.
A panoramic view of Thrissur Zoological Park, Puthur. , Photo courtesy: Najeeb KK
The turning point came in 2012, when Australian zoo architect John Coe, who was instrumental in setting up more than 85 zoological projects around the world, visited the site at Puthur.
“John found the area and ecosystem perfect for a new generation zoo,” recalls M. Peethambaran, secretary of Friends of the Zoo, the organization campaigning for the project. “Our dream was to give animals a place to live, not just survive.”
The idea of the park got a boost when the state government included it in the list of projects funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board.
Wild Gaur in Chimbu, Puthur Zoo Photo courtesy: Najeeb KK
“A dream that started 30 years ago is finally taking shape,” says Rajan, who represents Thrissur’s Ollur assembly constituency in the state assembly. “This is not just another zoo – it is a statement of how Kerala treats its wildlife. We have invested over ₹370 crore to make it a world-class conservation site,” he says.
A sanctuary reimagined
This park, designed by John, redefines the concept of zoo. This is not a spectacle of imprisonment, but a sanctuary of co-existence. Built as a zoo without bars, the park mirrors wildlife habitats across India and beyond, giving both animals and visitors an experience closer to a forest than an urban enclosure, park managers say.
“My main responsibility was to see that the facility was built as per John’s vision,” says KJ Varghese, special officer of the park.
The park is divided into nine areas and has a dedicated conservation area, each echoing a different ecological zone. From the dry, sun-baked Zululand zone to the mist-filled Shola grassland zone, each place tells a story of adaptation and co-existence.
Entry into Thrissur Zoological Park. , Photo courtesy: Najeeb KK
“Each area here is a miniature version of its original ecosystem. We have recreated the landscape, the soil texture, the microclimate, and even brought in the vegetation,” says Varghese.
nine worlds, one forest
For example, in the Kanha Zone, visitors will see India’s big cats – tigers, leopards and Asiatic lions – roaming in sal and teak forests. Raised decks and viewing tunnels allow people to watch animals move through the natural landscape.
“The idea is to see people climbing, chasing, playing with the wildlife,” says BN Nagaraj, director of the park. He says, “It’s not just about performance. It’s about the behavior, ecology and emotions of the animals.”
a piece of africa
Go a little further, and the terrain changes dramatically. Red soil gives way to green, the air feels dry, and architecture transforms into thatched, conical huts – welcome to the Zululand zone.
Everything in this area, from the terrain to the buildings, follows the spirit of the African Savanna. Giraffes, zebras, elands, ostriches and hippos can be seen here. Visitors can stroll on a boardwalk over the hippo swamps, where mud banks mimic the eroded banks of African rivers. For a moment, Thrissur feels a world away.
Whispers of the Shoals
A view of Thrissur Zoological Park. , Photo courtesy: Najeeb KK
In the Shola Grassland Zone, the air becomes cool and the landscape becomes emerald. Nilgiri tahr, raptors and grassland birds soar in the open spaces, surrounded by native plants that mimic the Western Ghats ecosystem.
“The Shola forests are delicate, unique and stunning. We have recreated the microclimate – mist, moss and grassland – so that the birds also feel at home,” says Varghese.
Nearby, a bear area shelters sloth bears and Himalayan black bears in shady forests, while the grassland area shelters wild dogs – dholes, jackals and hyenas – in large, open plains that encourage natural pack behaviour.
The park features hologram tunnels, where visitors can view 3D projections of extinct or rare animals. Tourists walk into immersive environments where they can see holographic animals, such as in tunnels, where they appear to be flying around, or in fenced enclosures, where they appear to be alive.
These experiences make guests feel as if they are visiting different places and time periods. Hologram tunnels allow visitors to walk through spaces with animals flying around them and sky terraces show animals walking overhead. Another attraction is the petting zone, which allows children to safely interact with small and young animals, while nurturing empathy and awareness.
“Our goal is to make learning unique,” says the curator. “When a child can see, touch and understand an animal, they grow up to want to protect it.”
A night house is being set up to display owls and reptiles in soft lighting, while interpretive trails explain animal behaviour, forest ecology and conservation challenges.
Conservation comes alive
Beyond the visitor trails, the park has a conservation and research complex equipped for breeding, veterinary care and wildlife rehabilitation of endangered species. The zoo also plans to collaborate with universities and conservation agencies to study animal behavior and ecosystem management.
Sustainability is built into every layer of the project. “We have planted thousands of trees – bamboo, palms and forest species besides innumerable garden plants to create a self-sustaining ecosystem,” says Varghese.
The park’s water needs are met by two rainwater ponds, two abandoned mines containing 645 million liters of water, and the Manali River. Solar panels provide power to the administrative units, and reed beds treat waste water, and natural drainage channels ensure rainwater harvesting throughout the site.
Electric buses will take visitors on a 6.5 km long ring-shaped visitor path. Cafeterias, toilets and rest areas have been built. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation will launch a double-decker bus, which will offer travel connecting the city to the park.
Visitors won’t just wander through the park – they’ll travel through biomes. Interpretive centers, interactive exhibits and shaded walkways replace cluttered signage and cages. From the rustling of bamboo to the sound of birds echoing across the lake, every sense is engaged.
Employees are busy finalizing the project. Landscaping teams plant trees. Engineers test electric buses. Curators refined the enclosures for their first residents.
“My responsibility was to ensure that the project remained in line with John’s vision,” says Varghese. “Animal husbandry is not a one-time job. It has to be developed – animals must remain curious and active.”
The government expects that by the fifth year, 20 to 25 lakh people will visit the park annually. At present, only one third of the project area has been developed as a zoological park.
Rajan says, “The park will grow and develop with time. This also proves that development and compassion can co-exist.”
Although the park is scheduled to open on October 28, entry to the park will be restricted for a few months. Park officials say animals relocated to the park must adapt to the new habitat.
According to the park managers, the park combines education, research and tourism to create awareness about wildlife and nature among the visitors.
Life will be a comfortable affair for Rudra as he can spend his days without any challenges and eating good food, which is suitable for a hunter.
