Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad was started in 1959 by relocating the erstwhile Zoo enclosures from Public Gardens, in Hyderabad. It was inaugurated on 6th October 1963. The area of the Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad is 380 Acres. The Zoo is abutting the Miralam Tank bund which is an indigenous arch bund dam with 24 arches formed 200 years ago.  

The natural landscape of the Zoo attracts several migratory as well as resident birds. It is the first Zoo in India to have animals arranged in Zoological order in open enclosures. Such open enclosures in near natural ambiance make animals feel at home. The mode of display is either open moats or cages. Both wet moats and dry moats are used as barriers for confining the animal in the enclosure. There are around 159 enclosures in the Zoo. Zoo has various natural advantages like the location of the Zoo, availability of water, natural surroundings, and display of animals in open moat enclosures. Diet charts for different species of animals have been formulated after many observations.

In 1980’s Crocodile breeding station is established in this zoo to improve the Mugger population and release them into the wild. At present NZP has taken up the responsibility of breeding Mouse Deer and Vultures. These projects are been sponsored by CZA, New Delhi. This Zoo has a very good reputation in Asiatic lion and Royal Bengal Tiger breeding. Nehru Zoological Park is instrumental in the successful breeding of several herbivore species. Spotted deer, Black Buck, Nilgai, and Sambar Deer which were born here were released in protected areas and sanctuaries in Telangana. Not only these many other rare, threatened & endangered species such as Rhinoceros, Elephant, Nilgiris Langur, Lion Tailed Macaque, Sarus Crane, Grey Pelican, and Painted Stork. Black Headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Indian Python, Indian Star Tortoise, Indian Soft Shell Turtle, and Indian Chameleon were also successfully bred here. Among the exotic animals Orangutan, Hippopotamus, African Lion, Jaguar, Ostrich, Macaws, and Green Iguana have bred in this zoo successfully.  Animals that are born through the breeding exercise in this Zoo are given to abroad zoos under Animal Exchange Programmes.