Gardens, Mysore. Karanji Lake Nature Park, Mysore. Chamundi Conservation and Rehabilitation Center, Kurugahalli, Mysore. Peak seasons Summer holidays Dasara festival New year Karanji Lake The Karanji Lake which covers 77.02 acres is located on the eastern side of the zoo. The Chamundi Hills acts as catchment and provides a dramatic backdrop. Previously the tank was almost a garbage dump being used by all and sundry for each and every function. There was no bird life but for scavengers, crows, and the entire area was a slum. As such it was in constant danger of being taken over by developers for real estate development. The tank was handed to Mysore Zoo in March 1976 by public works department for development and maintenance. The tank is situated on north-east side of Mysore city. It functions as a percolation tank. After the protection and afforestation in the foreshore area, the tank started attracting a variety of birds for breeding & nesting activities. Restoration and development activities were taken up under the Asian Development Bank project through Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation to the extent of Rs.1.17 crores. About five acres of prime zoo land has been donated to the Natural History Museum, which will enhance the educational potential of the zoo by offering people a rare opportunity to study natural history of wild animals, aquatic birds and tropical vegetation, etc. Animals The zoo is currently home to ten elephants, and has more elephants than any other zoo in India. A total of 34 elephants have lived at this zoo, many of which were eventually transferred to other zoos in Mysore. It is one of the oldest zoos in the world . The zoo also has five green anacondas, contributed by Colombo Zoo. It is also the only zoo in India to house gorillas, orangutans, white rhinos and cheetahs. Some of the animals housed in the Mysore Zoo include: Birds Mammals Reptiles Incidents The zoo witnessed a series of animal deaths in 2004 and 2005. In August 2004, a lion-tailed macaque was found mysteriously dead. An emu and a tiger were also reported to have died mysteriously. On 4 September 2004, an elephant died, reportedly of acute hemorrhagic enteritis and respiratory distress. It was reported that the illness in elephants was due to poisoning. As a safety measure, the zoo authority suspended several staff members who were allegedly responsible for the "gruesome killings".