THRISSUR ZOOLOGICAL PARK KERALA

The relocated Zoo aims to showcase rich Western Ghats ecosystems, support nature conservation, and provide immersive visitor experience. The development integrates ecological restoration, architecture and landscape while improving livelihood opportunities of the local community.

- Jon Coe

In 2012 the Kerala State Forestry Department decided to relocate their outdated Thrissur Zoo to a 50 hectares site in the town of Puthur. This was an aesthetically spectacular and physically demanding landscape featuring a large central hill and abundant exposed granite-gneiss bedrock outcrops. The purposes of this project were to display and support the conservation of the rich and diverse ecosystems of the Western Ghats and provide optimal well-being for indigenous species and the old zoo’s animals while establishing a new standard for zoo visitors’ experience. Integrated within these goals would be ecological restoration and re-wilding of this highly disturbed site, improving local community livelihoods and providing facilities for breeding regionally endangered species.

Design began with three extended site walks led by the design team joined by Mr. Yalakki and representatives of the Forestry Department, local university ecologist Dr. P.O. Nameer, and a delegation of local community leaders. Learning from this complex site together was an essential aspect of the design process, allowing everyone to witness and share in the vision-making.