The Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden (popularly known as Guwahati Zoo) is the largest of its kind in the North East region and it is spread across 432 acre (175 hectare). The zoo is located within the Hengrabari Reserved Forest at Guwahati, India. The zoo is home to about 895 animals, birds and reptiles representing almost 113 species of animals and birds from around the world. The 64th session of Indian National Congress was held in Guwahati, in the year 1957. The Organising committee of INC organised an exhibit with included few animals and birds, of which a female Leopard Cub named Spotty was the favourite. After the meeting came to an end, it was felt to necessity of a zoo to house these animals. The Assam State Zoo was established in the year 1957 and was open to public viewing in the year 1958.
Over the years, the Zoo grew and expanded to accommodate eye-catching exotic ones like Chimpanzees, White Rhinos & Black Rhinos, Zebras, Ostriches and Giraffes from Africa; Puma, Jaguar and Llama from South America and Kangaroos from Australia. To get these exotic animals the Zoo used to send indigenous animals like One horned Indian rhinoceros and others, to many countries. The Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden is 10 minutes drive (4.6km) from Mayflower Hotel, Guwahati.
