Let's talk about the largest zoos in the world, where you can meet hundreds of different animals!
Australian Zoo
This is one of the most famous zoos in Australia, located in the state of Queensland, about 80 km north of Brisbane. It was founded in 1970 by Bob and Lynn Irwin and was originally called Beerwah Reptile Park, but over time it has grown into a significant center for wildlife conservation and the promotion of conservation. The zoo became world-famous thanks to the efforts of Steve Irwin, the founder's son, who became a TV presenter and conservationist, popularly known as the "crocodile hunter." After his tragic death in 2006, his wife Terry and children Bindi and Robert Irwin continued to manage the zoo.
Australia Zoo is known for its wide variety of animals, especially Australian species: kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils and, of course, crocodiles. The zoo is home to many international species, including elephants, tigers, and giraffes, and is actively involved in breeding programs for rare and endangered species, rehabilitation programs, and the return of animals to their natural habitat.
One of the main features of the zoo is the spectacular shows featuring animals, in particular crocodiles, which were initiated by Steve Irwin himself and remain popular to this day. The zoo organizes many educational programs and activities for visitors of all ages.
The zoo covers more than 700 acres of land and is constantly expanding, adding new exhibits and animal areas. Since its inception, Australia Zoo has established itself as one of the leading zoos in the world and an important centre for the conservation and study of wildlife.
Toronto Zoo
This zoo is the largest in Canada and one of the most important in the world. It is located on the eastern outskirts of Toronto, in the Scarborough area, next to the Rouge River. Since its opening in 1974, the zoo has become a favorite place to visit for locals and tourists alike.
The zoo is spread over an area of about 287 hectares and has more than 5000 animals representing about 500 species - here you can see representatives of fauna from all continents, including rare and endangered species. The zoo is divided into several geographical zones, each of which reproduces the habitat conditions of different parts of the world: Africa, America, Eurasia, Australia and the Canadian zone. Each zone is carefully designed to recreate the natural conditions of the animals' habitat as accurately as possible.
One of the main attractions is the Giant Pandas Pavilion, which opened in 2013, which was home to a pair of giant pandas for a while. The zoo is also known for its rainforest pavilion, an exhibition dedicated to the Arctic regions, as well as an impressive "collection" of Canadian fauna, including polar bears, wolves and moose.
Como Park
The Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is a free institution open to visitors all year round. Founded in 1897, it has become home to more than 1,300 animals representing about 70 different species. Both native and exotic fauna can be seen here, including lions, giraffes, gorillas, polar bears, and a variety of birds. The zoo is actively involved in breeding programs for rare and endangered species, making it an important center for nature conservation.
Next to the zoo is the Conservatory, which is a historical greenhouse erected in the early XX century. It is one of the main attractions of the complex, which includes tropical gardens with palm groves, a rainforest, a Japanese garden and seasonal flower displays. The conservatory serves as a venue for various botanical events and educational programs, attracting the attention of both nature lovers and professionals.
Vandalur Zoo
Arignar Anna Zoological Park, known as the "Vandalur Zoo", is one of the largest zoos in India. It is located in the state of Tamil Nadu, in the southern part of India, about 30 kilometers southwest of the city of Chennai, and was opened to visitors in 1985, since then it has become one of the main tourist attractions of the region.
The zoo covers a huge area of about 602 hectares, making it one of the largest in Asia. The zoo houses more than 170 species of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles and fish, and a total of about 2,500 individuals. One of the main features of the zoo is the recreation of natural habitats for animals: instead of cages, large enclosures and open areas are used here, where animals can move more freely, creating favorable conditions for their health and well-being.
The zoo is divided into several zones, each dedicated to different ecosystems and animal species. Among the most popular expositions are a vast area for elephants, a pavilion for predators (primarily lions and tigers), enclosures with primates, birds and reptiles. The pavilion for butterflies and reptiles always attracts special attention.
Columbus Zoo
It is one of the largest and most respected zoos in the United States. It is located in the city of Powell, about 24 km northwest of Columbus, the capital of the state of Ohio. The zoo was founded in 1927 and has since become one of the main attractions of the region.
Today, the park covers more than 580 acres of land and is home to more than 10,000 animals representing about 800 species. The collection is diverse and includes representatives of all continents - from the African savannahs to the rainforests of South America. Columbus is divided into thematic zones, each of which recreates a different ecosystem of the world:
- Africa: here you can see lions, giraffes, rhinos, elephants and other representatives of the African fauna;
- Asia: Species such as Amur tigers, Asiatic elephants, and red pandas are found in this zone;
- North America: polar bears, moose, wolves and other animals typical of this region live here;
- Regions of Australia and the islands: here you can see kangaroos, koalas, wombats and a variety of exotic birds.
Columbus Zoo also has an aquarium that is home to a variety of marine and freshwater life: tropical fish, sharks, sea lions and penguins.
Which zoos have the largest number of animals
- Today, the Berlin Zoo is one of the largest and most visited zoos in the world: it covers an area of about 35 hectares and is home to more than 20 thousand animals representing about 1300 species, famous for its diversity and high standards of animal care. An important part of the Berlin Zoo is the Berlin Aquarium, opened in 1913: it is one of the largest aquariums in the world, where not only fish are kept, but also reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. The Berlin Aquarium is an important scientific center and a popular destination for visitors of all ages.
- In second place is the Henry Doorly Zoo, which covers an area of about 130 acres and is home to more than 17,000 animals representing about 962 species. It is home to the largest geodesic dome in the world, which recreates the desert conditions of Africa, Australia and North America - inside the dome there are unique species of plants and animals adapted to life in extreme conditions.
- In third place is the Beijing Zoo in China, where more than 14,500 animals live. One of the main attractions of the zoo is the pavilion dedicated to giant pandas, the national symbol of China. The Beijing Zoo participates in panda breeding programs and actively cooperates with international organizations to protect these rare animals.
Be sure to visit one of the zoos we've listed to admire animals you've only seen in biology textbooks before!
