Open cages, exotic animals, education centres, food plaza and amphitheatre are some of the highlights of the new zoo.

Thailand-based designers HKS Designer and Consultant International Limited Company have staged an exhibition so citizens can see the new-look zoo. "The exhibition will be open for the next week. Citizens can leave their remarks about what they think of the revamp plan," said Vijay Dande, Superintendent, Byculla Zoo. Harish Pillai from HKS said the new zoo would be "India's first model zoo."

The cages will be replaced with open, natural enclosures with the aim of bringing man and nature closer. The zoo will now house ostriches, gibbons and tigers among others. The entire zoo is to be divided into different geographical sections - Australian, South East Asian, Indian - to try and replicate the natural living conditions of the animals.

Spread over 53 acres, the designers have planned this change without removing or relocating any of the 18 natural heritages or by felling trees in this area. The highlight of the animal enclosures is the brand new international look that plans on keeping elephants and tigers within a common enclosed area, separated by barriers, which the public can't see. This maintains the natural proximity that the animals would maintain in the wild.