Vistor count and revenue drop to a three-year low at Byculla zoo | Mumbai News

Mumbai: Footfall and revenue declined at the Byculla zoo in 2024 compared to the previous two years. Visitor numbers dropped to 24.2 lakh, generating ticket sales of Rs 9.5 crore — a nearly 25% drop from 2023, which recorded 30.2 lakh visitors and Rs 12 crore in revenue. The year 2024 also underperformed when compared to 2022, which saw 25.2 lakh visitors and Rs 10 crore in revenue.
The months with the highest visitor counts in 2024 were Nov, May, and Jan. Nov coincides with Diwali vacations, while May aligns with the summer break, encouraging parents to opt for affordable family outings. Officials attributed the drop in footfall in 2024 to the lack of new attractions. In contrast, 2023 saw high enthusiasm with the birth of penguin chicks and the launch of an underwater viewing gallery for gharials and crocodiles. Similarly, 2022 drew crowds with the addition of a leopard pair. Experts said the surge in visitors during 2022 and 2023 likely stemmed from post-pandemic eagerness, as citizens sought affordable, family-friendly public spaces after extended lockdowns.
Rajesh Chaugule, a wildlife specialist, explained, “After the lockdown, people sought accessible and affordable places to visit within Mumbai. The Byculla botanical gardens and zoo (formally called Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo) became an ideal choice, second only to malls. People also craved fresh air, which gardens naturally provide. Additionally, the creation of new enclosures attracted visitors, contributing to the spike in numbers.
“But this enthusiasm plateaued by 2024. People are now more focused on employment and have less time for leisure. Repeat visits have likely been limited due to visitors feeling they’ve already experienced what the garden and zoo offer. While the botanical life here is exceptional and well-maintained, the public lacks awareness of the plant species. For most, these plants are simply visually appealing. They lack deeper appreciation.”
A senior BMC official said, “In 2025, we are making every effort to introduce new attractions. Visitors always look forward to seeing something new when they visit the facility. The zoo has long been trying to bring in a pair of lions, but that exchange has not yet been successful.” In the past, the zoo approached Sakkarbaug Zoological Park in Junagadh and Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya in Indore to acquire pairs of Asiatic lions.
Shubhada Nikharge, trustee of the Save Rani Bagh Botanical Garden Foundation, said, “The visitor count might have dropped because no new animals have been introduced to the zoo for a long time. There’s even a board near the lion enclosure that says, ‘Wait, I am coming,’ but it has been there for over a year. The rhino enclosure has been empty for a long time, and the otters haven’t arrived yet. People might simply be bored. The penguins are no longer a major attraction after so many years. Then came the death of Anarkali, the female elephant, two months ago. She was popular with both kids and adults.”
Mumbai: Footfall and revenue declined at the Byculla zoo in 2024 compared to the previous two years. Visitor numbers dropped to 24.2 lakh, generating ticket sales of Rs 9.5 crore — a nearly 25% drop from 2023, which recorded 30.2 lakh visitors and Rs 12 crore in revenue. The year 2024 also underperformed when compared to 2022, which saw 25.2 lakh visitors and Rs 10 crore in revenue.
The months with the highest visitor counts in 2024 were Nov, May, and Jan. Nov coincides with Diwali vacations, while May aligns with the summer break, encouraging parents to opt for affordable family outings. Officials attributed the drop in footfall in 2024 to the lack of new attractions. In contrast, 2023 saw high enthusiasm with the birth of penguin chicks and the launch of an underwater viewing gallery for gharials and crocodiles. Similarly, 2022 drew crowds with the addition of a leopard pair. Experts said the surge in visitors during 2022 and 2023 likely stemmed from post-pandemic eagerness, as citizens sought affordable, family-friendly public spaces after extended lockdowns.
Rajesh Chaugule, a wildlife specialist, explained, “After the lockdown, people sought accessible and affordable places to visit within Mumbai. The Byculla botanical gardens and zoo (formally called Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo) became an ideal choice, second only to malls. People also craved fresh air, which gardens naturally provide. Additionally, the creation of new enclosures attracted visitors, contributing to the spike in numbers.
“But this enthusiasm plateaued by 2024. People are now more focused on employment and have less time for leisure. Repeat visits have likely been limited due to visitors feeling they’ve already experienced what the garden and zoo offer. While the botanical life here is exceptional and well-maintained, the public lacks awareness of the plant species. For most, these plants are simply visually appealing. They lack deeper appreciation.”
A senior BMC official said, “In 2025, we are making every effort to introduce new attractions. Visitors always look forward to seeing something new when they visit the facility. The zoo has long been trying to bring in a pair of lions, but that exchange has not yet been successful.” In the past, the zoo approached Sakkarbaug Zoological Park in Junagadh and Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya in Indore to acquire pairs of Asiatic lions.
Shubhada Nikharge, trustee of the Save Rani Bagh Botanical Garden Foundation, said, “The visitor count might have dropped because no new animals have been introduced to the zoo for a long time. There’s even a board near the lion enclosure that says, ‘Wait, I am coming,’ but it has been there for over a year. The rhino enclosure has been empty for a long time, and the otters haven’t arrived yet. People might simply be bored. The penguins are no longer a major attraction after so many years. Then came the death of Anarkali, the female elephant, two months ago. She was popular with both kids and adults.”