Visiting Bondla zoo located in Ponda, around 50 kms from Panaji, is a rite of passage for hundreds of students in Goa who invariably visit the zoo as participants of the annual school picnic.
Bondla maybe a smaller wildlife sanctuary as compared to the others in the state, but with a zoo, rose and botanical gardens and deer park in its jurisdiction, it certainly makes the place an attractive option especially if there are children involved.
The animals you can see here in the enclosures are the Gaur or the Great Indian Bison, a massive herbivore which is not only Goa’s state animal, but also the mascot of football team FC Goa, the Sambhar deer, a variety of snakes, leopards, porcupines, the mighty Lion, panther, crocodiles, reptiles, etc.
The wildlife sanctuary itself which is around eight square kms in area has a thick cover of moist deciduous forests in which along with spotted deer, wild hogs, barking mouse, porcupines, scaly ant eaters, Malabar giant squirrels, even flying lizards are commonly spotted.
The carnivores which have been sighted at Bondla include the panther, jungle cat, leopard cat, toddy cat, etc. The sanctuary is also home to almost a 100 species of birds.
The day you should not drop by at Bondla is Thursday, when it is closed for the day. Bondla also has a facility for overnight stay in form of cottages in the sanctuary area.
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
Ponda, around 50 kms from Panaji
