Largest Zoos in the World

1. The San Diego Zoo is internationally known for its commitment to conservation, protection and, yes, exhibition of animals and plants throughout the world. Covering about 100 acres, the zoocontainsmore than 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies. The zoo is also famous for its work with breeding endangered giant pandas. Along with a 1,800acreSafari Park, the zoo offers a globalconservation programknow .....

Singapore Zoo

2. Formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens, the Singapore Zoo first opened in 1973. It is worldfamous for itsopen concept, where animals are separated from visitors only by wet or dry moats. However, glass still protects visitors from the zoos more carnivorous residents. The habitats are designed to resemble the animals natural habitats as much as possible. The zoo also supports severalconservation programs, including breeding programs th .....

Chester Zoo

3. The Chester Zoo opened in 1931, thanks to the efforts of animal enthusiast George Mottershead. Mottershead first visited a Manchester zoo as a child in 1903, only to be horrified by the dank, dark conditions of the enclosures. The Chester Zoo was designed as a modern facility, inspired by the thenemerging European tradition of using moats to separate animals from visitors instead of bars, as well as extensive space for animal enclosures. Since Mo .....

Tiergarten Schonbrunn

4. Theworlds oldest zoogot its start in 1752, whenHoly Roman EmperorFrancis I ordered a royal menagerie to be built next to his summer palace in Vienna. While the Tiergarten Sch .....

Taronga Zoo

5. The 52acreTaronga Zooopened in 1916, where it is now home to more than 2,600 animals and 340 species. In 2000, the zoo began a $250 million overhaul, part of which involved the controversial export of five Asian elephants from Thailand for a breeding program. In 2009, the zoo became famous as the location of Australias first live elephant birth. TheTaronga Conversation Society Australiaworks to promote animal conversation, including several breed .....

National Zoological Gardens of South Africa

6. This 210acre zoo dates to 1899, housing the largest zoo in South Africa. The zoois proudof the diversity of its residents, including 3,117 specimens of 209 mammal species, 1,358 specimens of 202 bird species, 3,871 specimens of 190 fish species, 388 specimens of 4 invertebrate species, 309 specimens of 93 reptile species, and 44 specimens of 7 amphibian species. The zoo, which is a partner facility of theNational Research Foundation, offers sever .....

Bronx Zoo

7. TheBronx Zoofirst opened its doors in 1899 after Fordham University sold the land to the city on the condition that it be used for a zoo. Today, the zoo consists of 265 acres, making it one of the worlds largest metropolitan zoos. It is one of four institutions managed by theWildlife Conservation Societyand is home to more than 4,000 animals. The zoo has several animalenrichment programs designed to facilitate the natural instincts of its residen .....

Berlin Zoological Garden

8. This85acre zooopened its doors in 1844, the first of its kind in Germany. Only 91 animals survived the destruction caused by World War II; however, the institute rose from the ashes to become one of the largest zoos in the world. It exhibits about 14,000 animals and 1,400 species. The zoo is alsoinvolvedin several conservation programs, including collaborations with the Worldwide Fund for Nature in habitat preservation both in Europe and abroad, .....

The London Zoo

9. The London Zoo is the worlds oldest scientific zoo, opened in 1828 for the purpose of scientific study. It was opened to the public in 1847 and now houses 755 species of animals throughout its 36 acres of land. This zoo, sometimes referred to as Regents Zoo, is comprised of over 16,000 individual animals. The most recent project being undertaken by the zoo is the Tiger S.O.S. program, which is intended to raise funds to help save the Sumatran Tig .....

The Moscow Zoo

10. Opened in 1864, the Moscow Zoo is among the oldest zoos in Europe. Home to around 927 species, the zoo spreads over an area approximately 53 acres big and houses over 6,000 individual animals. The zoo was recently renovated in the 1990?s, expanding the property of the zoo and developing a footbridge that connected the two parts of the zoo that were previously separated by Bolshaya Gruzinskaya Street. The newest exhibits for this zoo include a sea .....

The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

11. The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. The zoo has been developed from what was once the Riverview Park Zoo, which was built in 1864, and now sprawls over 130 acres. Home to 962 different species of animals, this zoo is notable for housing the largest cat complex in North America. The zoo is Nebraskas number one paid attendance attraction and welcomes millions of visitors each year. .....

The Beijing Zoo

12. This zoo was founded in 1906 during the late Qing Dynasty and is now home to one of the largest animal collections in China. Set on 219 acres of land and housing 950 species of animals, the Beijing Zoo is best known for its collection of rare animals endemic to China. This includes Giant Pandas, the zoos most popular animals, the South China Tiger, Chinese Alligators and the Chinese Great Salamander. With more than six million people that come to .....

The Toronto Zoo

13. The Toronto Zoo is located in Toronto, Canada and was opened in 1974 as the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo. As the largest zoo in Canada at 710 acres and 491 species of animals, this Zoo is divided into seven different regions representing animals from various parts of the world. The zoo currently houses over 5,000 animals total that are viewable from various levels, making the zoo an attraction for visitors of all ages. .....

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

14. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a nonprofit zoo in Powell, Ohio. This zoo has been named the number one zoo in the United States on multiple occasions. Currently home to 793 different species of over 9,000 total animals, the zoo enjoys over 2.3 million annual visitors. The zoo has gained its worldrenowned status from its own conservation program and extensive funding to outside programs as well. The 580 acres of land is home to the zoo itself as .....

Sleep with the snow leopards at Sydneys Taronga Zoo

15. Located 12 minutes by ferry from Sydney, the Taronga Zoo is a fully sensorial Australian experience, engaging the eyes with a breathtaking view of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House before getting a close introduction to some of the wildlife of the Aussie outback. Winding down the scenic trail with a tour guide, visitors can spot giraffes, koalas, African elephants, Australian sealions, Tasmanian devils and over 300 other other species. Their sho .....

Wellington Zoo North Island New Zealand

16. New Zealands very first zoo is one of the biggest, situated on 32sprawling acres with more than 500 animals and 100 different speciesmany of which are endangered species native to New Zealand, including Sumatran tigers, the miniature Sun Bear, the smallest of the bear species. The zoo is also involved with a group in parts of Asia called Free the Bears, lions, and many more. The zoo is dedicated to quality, sustainable enclosures for its populati .....

Australia Zoo Sunshine Coast

17. Of course the wildest and most adventurous zoo on earth would have to have been founded by none other than the late Steve Irwin, Australias Crocodile Hunter. The zoo encourages handson encounters with various snakes, koalas, kangaroos, wombats, tigers, elephants, as well as viewings of over 1000 different animals. Make a reservation if you really want to make the most of your day! .....

Yokohama Zoo

18. Japans Yokohama Zoo, lovingly referred to as Zoorasia was established in 1999. A massive 100 acres in size, this lush, sprawling zoo gives extended room to its over 1500 animals from 150 species. In fact, the zoo is largely green in design, consisting of 7 separate ecological areasthe Asian Tropical Forest, Central Asian Highland, Oceanian Grassland, Japanese Countryside, African Tropical Rainforest, and the Amazon Jungleall designed to mimic nat .....

Welsh Mountain Zoo

19. This 37 acre hillside park was established by naturalist Robert Jackson in 1963. Today, the Zoological Society of Wales has taken the helm and operates the zoo more like conservation lands for native wildlife within. Guests are treated to wooded acres, tree lined paths, and rolling hills teeming with grey heron, grass snakes, and badgers. The mustsee exhibits are the modern Eurasian Otter showcaseoutfitted with a river, and waterfall for happy ot .....

Philadelphia Zoo

20. Americas very first zoo is the Philadelphia Zoo, established in 1874. Today the zoo enjoys a reputation for breeding endangered species in captivity as well as simulated natural habitats for its animal population. Home to over 1300 animals, this urban zoo boasts one of the most stateoftheart primate exhibits in the world, PECO Primate Reserve, a 2.50acre, indoor and outdoor areas that houses 10 different primate speciesincluding gibbons, lowland .....

Basel Zoo

21. The Basel Zoo boasts one of the most successful captive breeding programs of endangered species in the world. The uniquely peculiar creatures here are not often seen in other wildlife parks around the world. In fact, the more than 600 speciesincluding snow leopards, cheetah, Indian Rhino, flamingos, pygmy hippopotamuses, Somali Wild Ass, and okapiwould be proud that their zoo is considered among the top 7 by the Zoological Society of London for i .....

Edinburgh Zoo

22. This was the first zoo in the world to house and breed penguins along with being the first in Britain to house koalas and giant pandas. The vision of Edinburgh Zoois to not only cater to tourists but to actively participate in breeding programs of endangered species and promote conservation around the world. One more claim to fame for this zoo is the state of the art chimpanzee enclosure that has been endorsed by experts such as Jane Goodall. Vis .....

Melbourne Zoo

23. Officially the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens,the Melbourne Zoo is the oldest zoo in Australia. Opened in 1862, the park features today over 320 species, both native Australian species and other animals from around the world. The Australian exhibit includes koalas,kangaroos, wombats, echidnas and more .....