Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre 

The zoo receives a large number of  animals from the Forest Department, Animal  welfare organizations and Non-Governmental Organisations  working for the cause of Wildlife  conservation. These animals are rescued  orphan animals, animals kept as pets  by public who wish to donate and house them  in the zoo and those seized from the illegal  zoos and circuses. Chennai is also a  major airport and seaport which serves as entry  point to import, export and illegal trade  of endangered species. These animals are also kept in the Quarantine of the zoo  for health care.

The issue of overcrowding and un-scheduled arrival of rescued and confiscated animals has been a matter of serious concern in every zoo in India. In such a situation inadequate health care leads to large scale mortality among new arrivals which affects the image of the zoo. To address this issue a rescue and rehabilitation centre has been established in the zoo in an area of 92 ha with the assistance of the Central Zoo Authority.

The Central Government has banned the training and exhibition of five species of animals viz., Tiger, Lion, Panther, Bears and Monkey in 1998 and requested the Tamil Nadu State Government to set up rescue and rehabilitation centre. A separate rescue centre in Arignar Anna Zoological Park has been established located over an area of 92.45 hec.

The Central Zoo Authority has formulated guidelines dated 16.10.1996 for creation of Rescue centres in India. The rescued/confiscated animals should normally be housed in separate facilities located outside display area of the zoo. The norms of housing, upkeep and health care of such animals would be the same as prescribed under the "Recognition of Zoo Rules’ 1992”. The only exception would be that moated barriers need not be provided.

An area of 92 ha has been acquired from the Research wing of Tamil Nadu Forest Department adjacent to the zoo in continuity with the fodder bank of the Arignar Anna Zoological Park for establishing the Rescue centre. The Rescue centre was established in 2001 to provide temporary and long term care for confiscated and abandoned endangered animals. This project has been funded by the Central Zoo Authority, Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi. Arignar Anna Zoological Park is having facility to house 40 Lions and 20 Tigers. The Central Zoo Authority has provided 145.98 Lakhs to the centre. In the Rescue centre a reptile house and an aviary have also been constructed to house these animals.

The objectives of the Rescue Centre are:

• To provide proper housing and health care to animals.
• To evaluate their health status and provide necessary treatment.
• To collect and maintain data on the individuals.The advantages of establishing a Rescue Centre in the Zoo are :

• Facilities for proper housing, health care, sanitation and hygiene for the animals are provided.
• Veterinary facilities for disease diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures are also made available.
• Rescued animals may be loaned to other zoos for breeding, exhibition and education purpose.
• The animal rescued from the wild may be utilised as a founder stock of that particular endangered species in an extensive conservation breeding programme.
• To develop a genetic resource bank using materials from rescued animals..