The wait for Pune’s second zoo continues. The Bahinabai Chaudhary Zoo has been closed for almost a decade. Despite crores being spent and several animals lost, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has failed to complete the renovation work. Animal lovers have expressed deep concern over the delay.
Pune has two zoos—the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj and the mini Nisargakavi Bahinabai Chaudhary Zoo in Chinchwad, nearly 27 km.

Travelling from Pimpri-Chinchwad to Katraj takes approximately one and a half hours, making it inconvenient for residents in the PCMC area. Due to this, the Katraj zoo experiences heavy footfall, especially during holidays. Meanwhile, the Bahinabai Chaudhary Zoo has remained shut to visitors for almost a decade.
Dr Arun Dagade, veterinary superintendent of PCMC, said, “The zoo is not yet open to the public as the civil work is incomplete and that, at present, they are only maintaining the zoo.