Zoo, Moscow

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The Moscow Zoo (Russian: Ìîñêîâñêèé çîîïàðê) was founded in 1864 by a group of professor-biologists, K.F. Rulje, S.A. Usov and A.P. Bogdanov, from the Moscow State University. In 1919, the zoo was nationalized. In 1922, the ownership was transferred to the city of Moscow and has remained under Moscow's control ever since.

The zoo had an area of 10 hectares when it first opened, with 286 animals. In 1926, the zoo was expanded to adjacent lands, increasing the area to 18 hectares. The zoo's original buildings were wooden, built in the old Russian style with intricate wood trims.

In 1990, the zoo was renovated. Notable additions include a new main entrance in the shape of a large rock castle, and a footbridge that connected the old (1864) and new (1926) properties of the zoo. Prior to construction of the footbridge, the zoo operated as two 'separate zoos' because the Bolshaya Gruzinskaya Street divides the properties.

In addition, the zoo was expanded once more. New exhibits were opened including a sea aquarium, an aviary, a creatures of the night exhibit, a sea lion exhibit and a section aimed at children. Waterfalls and streams were added throughout to give the zoo a more natural feeling.


Moscow Zoo PlanThe Moscow zoo has over 6000 animals representing more than 1000 species and covers an area of about 21.5 hectares.

The zoo studies animals behaviour, feeding and reproduction, and breeds rare endangered species.
I noticed that a lot of animals are adopted by companies and just physical people(they are under their support) I liked it.

Entrance fee for adults is 150 rub (5$) and free for kids under 18.

In this zoo you will see rare animals, such as Ussurisk tiger, or the snow panther, apart from many other exotic ones.
The ticket has the same price for Russians and foreigners, 100 rubles, or 3 euro. Inside there are cafeterias and the restaurant (traktir) Yolki Palki with good food.
Metro station to get there is Barrikadnaya.

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The Moscow Zoological Park has come a long way from a small zoological garden to the large scientific, educational and conservation institution of today.

The Moscow Zoological garden was founded by the All-Russia Emperor Society for Acclimatization of Plants and Animals in the middle of XIX century; it was opened for visitors on 13 of February 1964.
Besides, for those days it was a unique experiment aimed at the creation of the zoo in quite severe climatic conditions, as it was in central Russia.

Moscow goverment is talking about another place for Moscow Zoo many years - place in the center in Moscow is comfortable for visitors but doesn't allow Zoo to develop.

All I have seen in there was miserable. Those people don't have the slightest imagination of a good treatment of animals. Please do not support this. Don't go into that zoo, unless you like to see suffering animals and local visitors feeding bears with sweets!!!! IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!

I always like the opportunity to see animals close up whether it's in the wild, underwater, a safari park or in a zoo.

Moscow zoo definitely isn't anywhere near the quality of San Diego zoo (and too be fair not many are). I've no idea how much money the zoo have but they could do with a bit more to invest in the place. I thought a couple of the animals didn't look in the best of health and a couple of the pens needed a bit of maintenance. This was the exception rather than the rule.

One thing I didn't like was a couple of moronic visitors who thought it was funny to hit a giraffe with their long balloons as it bent it's neck over the top of the enclosure.

Despite all that, it's still worth a visit and there are plenty of things to see and I do recommend visiting.