Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Zebras, giraffes to return to Delhi zoo with glass enclosures
The Delhi zoo is getting a big makeover.
Zebras and giraffes are coming back after being away for many years.
The last zebra at the zoo died in 2011, and the last giraffe, named Ankit, died in 2015.
The new animals will live in special enclosures with strong glass walls.
The glass lets visitors see the animals up close while keeping everyone safe.
The same kind of glass will be used for lions, tigers, leopards, bears, and wolves.
The zoo will grow from about 93 species to around 109 species.
It also plans new toilets, an animal hospital, and separate paths for cars, buses, and walkers.
Work has already started and will happen in stages.
The animals are expected to come from an African country.
Zebras and giraffes are expected to return to the Delhi zoo after roughly 15 and 11 years, respectively, with animals likely arriving from an African country.
The animals will be brought to the zoo only after species-specific, glass-fronted enclosures are constructed.
The zoo's modernization plan, with around Rs 400 crore in approved expenditure, aims to raise its collection from about 93 species to roughly 109.
Around Rs 3.75 crore has been earmarked for bringing animals from zoos in India and abroad, mainly through gifts or exchanges.
The plan includes laminated glass enclosures for lions, tigers, leopards, bears and wolves, plus moats, separate visitor routes, new amenities and an animal hospital.
The zoo's last zebra died on April 30, 2011, and its last giraffe, named Ankit, died in June 2015 after a heart attack.
- Who
- The Delhi zoo administration and an unnamed zoo official overseeing the modernization plan.
- What
- Zebras and giraffes will return to the Delhi zoo in new glass-fronted, species-specific enclosures as part of a major modernization plan.
- When
- Announced on August 13; the animals will arrive only after their enclosures are constructed. The last zebra died on April 30, 2011, and the last giraffe died in June 2015.
- Where
- The Delhi zoo (National Zoological Park), New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To diversify the zoo's wildlife collection and let visitors see species that have not been housed there for several years, alongside modernized facilities.
- Last zebra death
- April 30, 2011
- Last giraffe death
- June 2015 (giraffe named Ankit, heart attack)
- Current species count
- Around 93 species, about 1,245 animals
- Target species count
- About 109 species
- Approved modernization expenditure
- Around Rs 400 crore
- Funds earmarked for animal acquisition
- Around Rs 3.75 crore
- Expected source of zebras and giraffes
- An African country
- Proposed new species
- Zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, New World monkeys, mouse deer