The zoo is situated within a region historically known as the 'Jungle Mahals', an administrative tract created by the British East India Company.
The park is specifically designed to house rescued animals that are often displaced from the fragmented forest patches of West Bengal.
The local terrain is characterized by red laterite soil and tropical dry deciduous forest vegetation.
It operates under the oversight of the West Bengal Zoo Authority, which coordinates animal exchanges with other state zoos.
The facility serves as a critical educational hub for local wildlife conservation awareness in Jhargram.
JungleMahal Zoological Park, formerly known as Jhargram Zoo, is a government-managed wildlife facility located in the Jhargram district of West Bengal. It serves as a rescue and rehabilitation center for wild animals found in the surrounding laterite forest tracts of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The park focuses on ex-situ conservation of species native to the region, including spotted deer, crocodiles, and various avian species. Spread across a sprawling forested campus, it maintains a semi-natural habitat to minimize stress on captive wildlife. The facility functions under the administrative control of the West Bengal Zoo Authority. It is integrated into the larger ecological landscape of the Jhargram tourism circuit. Recent developments have prioritized enclosure upgrades to meet modern Central Zoo Authority standards.
The raised viewing platforms near the deer enclosure offer clear sightlines with the natural forest canopy in the background.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes as the park covers a large, natural terrain area.
Bring your own water bottle and sun protection, as the natural canopy can be thin in certain sections.
Visit during the cooler months to see the animals more active in their outdoor enclosures.
Avoid making loud noises or tapping on enclosure glass, as this disrupts the welfare of the rescued animals.
Closed on Thursdays for weekly maintenance and cleaning.
Do not feed the animals, maintain a quiet demeanor near enclosures to avoid stressing wildlife, and do not litter within the forest premises.
