Penguins, selfie points are main attractions at Byculla Zoo this year

Ever since the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) made the Veer Jijamata Udyan, popularly known as Byculla Zoo, home to seven Humboldt penguins, it has been a hotspot for kids during the summer vacations. The penguins, which were brought to the zoo late in 2016, almost doubled the number of visitors to the zoo in the summer of 2017. In a bid to increase the numbers further this summer vacation, the zoo authorities have introduced several new attractions.

"The attractions like selfie points and landscaped gardens, waterfalls, flowers and a variety of bird species like the African Grey parrot, Military macaw and Crown group to name a few will keep people of all age groups engaged," said Dr Sanjay Tripathi, Director, Byculla Zoo.

Apart from penguins, the zoo is home to several other animals like hippopotamus, sambar deer, spotted deer, hyenas and elephants. The 250 species of birds in the zoo has always remained an attraction with children.

In April and May, the zoo is expecting an average of 7,000 to 8,000 visitors on weekdays and 12,000 to 15,000 visitors on weekends. "We are expecting more school children and college-goers this year considering the theme-based selfie points that include cartoon characters, reptiles and ducks," added Dr Tripathi.