Dr. Sunil S. Hiremath, I.F.S., serves as Director of Zoo Parks, Telangana, overseeing Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad. Under his leadership, the zoo has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification for six consecutive years—the only zoo in India with this distinction. He has championed technological modernization, breeding programs for endangered species, and collaborative research initiatives. Dr. Hiremath is spearheading development of a new world-class zoo modeled on Singapore Zoo, featuring exotic species from across continents.At the intersection of wildlife conservation and technological innovation stands Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad—a 380-acre research facility managing 194 species while pioneering digital transformation in zoo management.
In this comprehensive interview with Rashmi Kumari of Neo Science Hub, Dr Hiremath unveils the scientific and technological infrastructure supporting one of India’s most advanced zoological institutions. From genetic analysis partnerships with CCMB for breeding optimization to real-time pregnancy detection protocols, the zoo demonstrates how molecular biology is revolutionizing captive animal management. The facility has implemented a comprehensive technology ecosystem: 100% online ticketing with multi-platform integration, a proprietary “Zoo App” for complete animal health data management, GPS tracking across all vehicles, and CCTV-integrated command centers for operational monitoring. Research collaborations extend across multiple domains—zoonotic disease surveillance with AIIMS, genetic diversity studies with CCMB-LaCONES, stress biomarker analysis, and in-house hematological testing with two-hour turnaround times. The interview explores how this institution balances its roles as Telangana’s sole Wildlife Hospital, a breeding center for endangered species, and a research hub advancing veterinary science, conservation biology, and sustainable animal nutrition while planning India’s next-generation night safari and glass-enclosure exhibits.
Hyderabad Zoo is massive. How many acres does it occupy, and what makes it unique?
We have a 380-acre space in the prime center of the city. We can proudly say this is one of the biggest zoos in India located in the heart of a city. Usually, all zoos are on the outskirts, but ours is almost in the center with tremendous prominence and easy accessibility. Tourists who visit Charminar or Salar Jung Museum find us just 2.5 to 3 kilometers away, making us a very convenient destination.
How many species and varieties of animals and birds do you have?
Looking at it species-wise, Hyderabad Zoo has one of the largest collections of species in India. We currently have 194 species, and we’re still improving. Among these, you’ll find more than 200 varieties of birds. In terms of mammals, we have around 53 species and approximately 103 species of birds. Our specialty is that we have amphibians on display—I can confidently say this is the only zoo in India exhibiting amphibians within a zoo setting. We’re continuously working to expand and diversify our collection.
What kind of care is required during animal breeding?
For animal breeding, we first carefully select parents. The main principle is not to keep related species together to avoid inbreeding. We’ve completed more than nine exchanges with other zoos across India just last year alone. Through these exchanges, we bring in new gene pools to ensure genetic diversity and prevent genetic problems. When we select parents, especially for large cats and canines, we allow only unrelated individuals to breed after major exchanges. We’re blessed with collaboration with CCMB (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology). If an animal is pregnant, we send samples for testing after two or three months. If the result is positive, we take all preemptive steps. In other places, action is typically taken after birth, but here, once we know an animal is pregnant, we immediately change the feed and isolate the mother. We provide specific provisions in the enclosure—creating darker, isolated spaces through paneling and maintaining what we call ‘dark mode.’ When delivery happens, it’s a very critical phase. For lions or tigers, the cubs don’t open their eyes for 15 to 20 days. During that period, if there’s any disturbance, the mother might kill the babies out of stress. We have to maintain absolute quiet during that phase, otherwise the failure rate is high. Apart from that, we conduct regular health checkups and provide multivitamins and supplements. Our biologists and veterinary doctors conduct in-depth studies for each animal to determine their specific requirements and ensure there are no deficiencies in the breeding process.
What facilities does the zoo have specifically for animal care?
Our zoo houses the only Wildlife Hospital and the only Rescue Center for the entire state of Telangana. Along with caring for zoo animals, we play a major role in wildlife rescues across Telangana. When injured animals are brought in, we treat them in our specialized in-house unit. If they can survive in the wild, we release them back; if they’re too injured to survive outside, we provide lifetime care here. We provide seasonal care tailored to each animal’s needs. Our hospital facilities have been significantly upgraded—we’ve performed over 140 minor and major operations in the last two years alone. We’re fortunate in Hyderabad because we have many national and state-level institutes nearby, giving us access to experts. We have specialists in feline medicine, orthopedics, and various other specialties. Regarding seasonal care: in winter, we use heaters and adjust diets according to each species’ requirements; in summer, we deploy foggers and coolers. Additionally, Hyderabad Zoo was the first in the world to introduce the open exhibit concept. Previously, animals were confined to cages. The open exhibit innovation started right here at Hyderabad Zoo. We can proudly say we’ve done extensive pioneering work in zoo management and conservation.
How many caretakers work at the zoo?
We have around 120 to 140 animal keepers, including both regular staff and outsourced personnel. We’ve divided the animals into 14 zones, including the hospital zone. Each zone has designated experts. We organize them by genera: Primates (Old World and New World monkeys), Big Cats, Small Cats, Canines (dogs, hyenas, wolves, jackals), and large herbivores like deer. We assign keepers based on their experience and specialized training. We sometimes send them to other zoos for additional training. We have an excellent, well-trained staff who are deeply empathetic toward animal care.
What technologies have been implemented at the zoo?
The first major technology implementation was 100% online ticketing. Previously, we had physical ticketing, which caused tremendous problems with crowd management. Just before our 60th anniversary, we moved to 100% online ticketing. This has completely stopped revenue pilferage and ensured smooth visitor flow. We’ve reduced waiting periods and eliminated ticket queues. We offer multiple booking options: our website, Meeseva mobile app, kiosks, and even WhatsApp. Visitors can easily choose their entry options through any of these platforms. We also have a ‘Zoo App’ where we maintain comprehensive animal welfare data—what disease an animal has had, what treatment was administered, what supplements and food they’re receiving. All animal health care and administration are managed on this single platform. We’ve integrated CCTV surveillance with a Command Center for comprehensive monitoring. All our vehicles are fitted with GPS trackers. We extensively use technology for crowd management—when we detect high concentrations of visitors in certain areas, we immediately redirect staff and resources there. These are just a few examples of how we’ve leveraged technology.
What research collaborations do you have, and what type of research is conducted?
For research, the sky is truly the limit. We’ve improved our in-house veterinary hospital and established lab testing facilities. Previously, when we sent blood samples for Complete Blood Picture or mineral composition tests, it took a week for results. Now, we get results in just two hours in-house. We have active collaboration with CCMB-LaCONES for gene pool storage, genetic identification for pairing, and comprehensive genetic analysis. We also conduct pregnancy testing and stress level monitoring. Animals in confined zones can develop stress or stereotypical behavior, so we use research to verify whether our interventions actually reduce their stress levels. We collaborate extensively with AIIMS Bibinagar for zoonotic disease research—diseases that can spread from humans to animals and vice versa, which is particularly important because our keepers are in direct contact with animals daily. We maintain a baseline medical database for all zoo staff through AIIMS. They also provide teleconsultation with specialists. Our in-house nurse, who has been specially trained, can conduct basic assessments. For specific problems, we consult with specialists via audio-visual tools, and doctors prescribe appropriate treatment. We work closely with the Veterinary College and Agriculture University for student research projects, and with VBRI for post-mortems and specialized tests we can’t perform in-house. We collaborate with the Indian Institute of Millets Research because we grow about 60-70% of our own fodder—grass, fruits, vegetables, and sweet potatoes—right here on-site. We also work with the Pollution Control Board and Groundwater Department to monitor water quality. Quality research is one of the core mandates of our zoo, and sharing findings with other zoos is equally important.
How do you manage the animals’ diet and food preparation?
Animal feed consists of meat, fresh vegetables, fruits, and dry groceries. Every six months, we convene a Health Advisory Committee meeting where we review our diet plans and compare them with other zoos. We discuss grain levels, protein sources, and potential additions like eggs or worms. For example, we changed cattle feed from flat pellets to round pellets to reduce fungal infections. Each morning, all food is received, cleaned, and segregated in our feed store. We’ve studied extensively which animals need to be fed first. Birds have small stomachs and high metabolic rates, so they receive priority. Elephants, on the other hand, eat for 16 to 18 hours daily, so we plan accordingly. Our staff harvests grass and vegetables from our fodder plot at 7:00 AM and sends them immediately to the feed store. After segregation and quality checks by our veterinary doctors and executive staff, food is dispatched to each zone. We soak some dry grains overnight, then wash and dispatch them in the morning. For certain animals, we provide nuts like walnuts, and for primates, we provide boiled eggs. Each animal has different nutritional requirements, and we cater to all of them individually.
Is there a separate diet for pregnant animals?
Absolutely. We take special care of females during breeding and pregnancy. Regarding meat, which typically arrives in the afternoon, we thoroughly check every organ and weigh everything carefully. We’ve started adding a small amount of salt to the meat—a practice we learned from other zoos during visits. In the wild, animals consume meat with blood, which contains natural salt. Since processed meat here has no blood, we add salt to prevent deficiency. For pregnant carnivores, we provide soft meat (usually beef), chicken, milk, and specialized supplements based on the doctor’s advice. The diet varies for different animals. For birds, since we don’t always know immediately when they’re pregnant, we maintain special care throughout the breeding season. Even after babies are born, mothers who are feeding them receive enhanced nutrition until the babies are fully grown.
Do you celebrate animals’ birthdays?
Yes, absolutely! We maintain birth records for all major animals. While it’s difficult for group animals, individual animals like Tigers, Leopards, Hippos, Rhinos, and Giraffes each have individual names. They respond when their keepers call them. We celebrate everyone’s birthdays enthusiastically. We recently celebrated Prema the Rhinoceros’s birthday in December. We prepare a special meal that looks like a cake made from their favorite foods. On Elephant Day, we create a feast for our elephants using sugarcane and ragi, decorated like a big cake. We celebrate because we genuinely feel they are part of our family.
How do you handle seasonal changes to protect animals?
Seasonal arrangements are absolutely vital. Understanding each animal’s biology is crucial. Reptiles, for instance, are cold-blooded animals—they cannot regulate their internal body temperature. In harsh winters, they would naturally hibernate in burrows in the wild. Here, since they live in open enclosures, we must provide external warmth using heaters or specialized bulbs. We monitor temperatures with digital thermometers in each enclosure. We use heaters for Tigers and Lions, though hardy animals like deer don’t need as much assistance in winter. In summer, we deploy foggers to cool environments. For birds, we protect them from cold winds by covering enclosure sides with gunny bags or greenhouse sheets. This seasonal care ensures all animals remain comfortable year-round.
What is the process for animal exchange between zoos?
In India, every zoo is recognized and regulated by the CZA (Central Zoo Authority) in New Delhi. Every zoo has an approved ‘Master Plan’ that lists which species they can keep. We maintain constant communication with other zoos for knowledge exchange. For animal exchange, we prepare what’s called a ‘Surplus List.’ For example, if I have 14 tigers but limited space, I list the surplus animals. We discuss with other zoos to determine what they have available. It operates somewhat like a barter system, though sometimes zoos give animals freely based on good relationships and mutual support. The process involves extensive internal discussion, preparing detailed documentation with complete ancestry records (where the animal was born, its name, parents’ details), and obtaining approval from the Chief Wildlife Warden and ultimately the CZA. Once approved, veterinary teams from both zoos conduct mutual visits to assess animal health. We then acclimatize the animal by separating it from its group and observing it closely. Transporting large animals like Giraffes requires a ‘dry run’ of the route to identify potential obstacles like low-hanging electrical wires. Our recent exchange with Darjeeling Zoo was a truly herculean task because it’s in the far north near Sikkim. We used Nandankanan Zoo in Odisha as a midpoint. Teams met there, exchanged animals, and returned. The transport team includes doctors, executive staff, and animal keepers who monitor the animals every 1-2 hours during the journey. We must plan everything—where to purchase fresh vegetables, where to stop for rest. Sometimes these journeys take two full days. We share live location tracking from both ends. Once an animal arrives, it stays in quarantine for 15 to 20 days to ensure it isn’t carrying any diseases before joining the general population.
How does the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) scheme work?
CSR involves companies contributing to environmental sustainability and social causes as mandated by the Companies Act. While many companies contribute to education or tree planting, increasingly many are coming forward specifically for animal welfare. We reach out to them and showcase the conservation work we’re doing. Last year alone, we received almost ₹13 crores through CSR contributions from various companies and sources. This is significant because we’re a self-sustaining society. The only government support we receive is for salaries and partial animal diet costs. Even support from the Central Zoo Authority has decreased. Our zoo is over 60 years old, and many of our night houses and animal shelters need major renovation. With our regular budget, these improvements are extremely challenging. CSR funds help tremendously with these infrastructure upgrades. We’re registered directly with the Commerce Department of Government of India, so we can directly certify contributions, or companies can work through NGOs for third-party evaluation and utilization certificates.
When do you recommend school groups visit for study tours?
October to January is the best season for anyone to visit the zoo. The weather is pleasant and supportive, there’s beautiful greenery, and harsh summer heat is absent. Schools should choose weekdays—Tuesday through Friday—because weekends see higher public footfall, which can create difficulties for organized groups. Many schools email us in advance when they have large groups, and we help arrange logistics accordingly. We offer bulk booking and government schools receive special concessions. When students visit, our Zoo Education Officer accompanies large groups. For bigger groups, we also send Public Relations Officers or biologists. There’s a tremendous difference between just looking at animals and observing them with educational context and knowledge. Students are our future—they’re the ones who will become future protectors of nature. That’s why we give utmost importance to school children visiting the zoo. If they understand the conservation work we’re doing here, they’ll carry that awareness throughout their lives.
What new enclosures and facilities are being planned?
We’re renovating many enclosures because, as I mentioned, we’re a 60-plus-year-old organization. Older structures have deteriorated or become too small based on new standards and requirements. We’re upgrading night houses, day crawls, and various exhibits. For the first time, we’re building a glass enclosure—only a few zoos in India have done this. We’re pioneering a glass Tiger enclosure where the distance between animals and visitors will be minimal, creating a major attraction. We’re systematically upgrading each enclosure. We recently completed renovation of the Bear enclosure. For Sarus Cranes, we’ve built a separate breeding enclosure. We also have plans to make changes in the safari section. We’re prioritizing older structures that need urgent attention and gradually revamping all facilities across different locations.
How did the idea of a night safari come about?
The inspiration came from our delegation’s visit to Singapore Zoo, which included our Chief Minister. Seeing their operations, we thought, ‘Why can’t we do this here?’ Recently, the Government of India and the Central Zoo Authority introduced new guidelines encouraging night safaris. The logic is compelling: everyone works during the day, so regular Tuesday-to-Friday visitors find it difficult to bring children during working hours. With a night safari operating from 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM, people can visit after work hours. We’ll focus primarily on nocturnal animals during this time. This will be a unique attraction for Hyderabad—our city has vibrant nightlife, and a night safari will be a major addition to that experience.
What are your future plans for the zoo?
We’re actively working on implementing the night safari. We’re also planning to significantly expand our collection—we want to essentially double what we currently have because this zoo has tremendous potential. Additionally, we’re envisioning a completely new zoo in the future through the Forest Development Corporation with public-private partnership. This will be a different concept and setup altogether—a high-end model similar to Singapore or other world-class zoos, which will be an entirely different experience to see. That’s our long-term vision. For our current facility, we’re focused on upgrading conservation-oriented areas and renovating all older structures. These are our primary goals for the future.
As Director, which animal have you spent the most meaningful time with?
It’s not about a single animal—it’s like a family. Whether it’s a very small animal or a larger one, every life is equally important to us. I can share that one of the saddest days was when we lost our Galapagos Tortoise. We tried everything—we brought doctors from Mumbai and Pune, we flew in specialized equipment for endoscopy because it wasn’t available here. Doctors performed a major 8-hour operation. After 15 days of intensive care, we still couldn’t save it. That was one of the saddest days because it was one of our oldest animals at 125 years. We feel terrible whenever any animal becomes sick or passes away. But happiness comes with births—that’s an integral part of our life here. Whenever new animals are born, whether at night or morning, it’s a special moment. For example, Prema the Rhino was born almost two years ago in December. At 11:30 PM, my entire family came with my child to witness the birth. There are many such moments. Just this morning, we had four Meerkat pups born. We don’t announce immediately because we need to ensure their stability first. When Tiger cubs are born, we do hand-rearing and observe them closely. Watching them grow with us feels like raising our own children—it’s a different kind of happiness. Those are the attachments we develop.
Can you share some significant cases that highlight the medical and scientific challenges in zoo veterinary care?
Every animal’s life is equally important to us, but some cases stand out for their medical complexity and scientific significance. One of our most challenging cases was our Galapagos Tortoise, which was 125 years old—one of the oldest animals in our collection. When it fell critically ill, we mounted an extensive medical intervention. We brought specialized doctors from Mumbai and Pune, and flew in endoscopy equipment that wasn’t available locally. Our veterinary team performed a major 8-hour operation. Despite 15 days of intensive post-operative care and every medical effort, we couldn’t save it. This case highlighted the challenges of treating geriatric exotic species and the limitations we sometimes face even with advanced veterinary interventions. On the positive side, we’ve had remarkable successes with our breeding programs. When Prema the Rhinoceros was born two years ago in December, we were able to monitor the entire process closely—the birth occurred at 11:30 PM, and our team, including veterinary staff, was present to witness and document it. More recently, we had four Meerkat pups born. We don’t announce births immediately because we need to ensure neonatal stability first, conducting health assessments and monitoring during the critical early period. These experiences—both the medical challenges with geriatric animals and the successful monitoring of births—demonstrate the range of veterinary and scientific expertise required in modern zoo management.
What is your final message to visitors?
The most important thing to understand is this: while human population will continue to grow, jungle and natural habitat will remain the same or diminish. Due to increasing human population, stress on nature is intensifying. Conserving nature is our collective responsibility—it’s not just the government’s job. Zoos play a vital role in conservation because not everyone can go to jungles to see animals in the wild. Come here, be part of the conservation effort. Understand that animals aren’t just characters in textbooks or video games—see the reality here. Engage with real conservation efforts. Make yourself a part of protecting our natural heritage. That’s my message to everyone.
