- Source: Zagreb Zoo
Zagreb Zoo (Croatian: Zoološki vrt Grada Zagreba) is a 7-hectare (17-acre) zoo located within Maksimir Park in Zagreb, Croatia and is across the street from Zagreb's Maksimir Stadium. It is one of three zoo parks in the country.
Zagreb Zoo is a member of both the European and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is a participant in the European Endangered Species Programme.
History
The zoo opened its doors on June 27, 1925 at the initiative of engineer Mijo Filipović, and with the support of the then mayor of Zagreb, architect Vjekoslav Heinzel. It was opened on the site of Swan Island, today's first island on the First Maksimir Lake. When it first opened, the Zoo had only five animals – three foxes and two tawny owls, and today, together with the lake, it covers an area of seven hectares. The Zoological Garden (the name remained until 1927, and today's ZOO has grown to include 275 species of animals and over 2,200 individuals. It began operations as the first in Southeast Europe, and today it is the largest zoo in Croatia. In the summer of 1928, the Zoo was temporarily moved to an address at Jelačić Square No. 15 in order to earn money for his support and repay a loan for the purchase of animals. The Zagreb Zoo is also involved in several global organizations for the conservation of endangered species. Three key periods in the development were marked by the garden's landscaping undertaken in the 1930s and 1950s, and by a third phase that began in the 1990s and continues today. During the historical development, each of these three periods was marked by some spatial, constructional and architectural arrangement of the garden, or the construction of modern dwellings. Reconstruction of the old zoo began in 1990. By October 2016, first part of the Zoo reconstruction and modernization was finished.
= Architecture
=Throughout the history of the ZOO, many structures have been built that are today cherished as historical and cultural heritage. One of the most famous is the “Lion Bridge” (Lavlji most) with four stone lions. At the very entrance stands perhaps the oldest building in the Zoo from 1926 – the tower also known as the “enchanted palace”. It used to be a dwelling for bears or wolves, but it soon became unacceptable for housing animals. Today, it offers an experience to all who visit it and is a glimpse into the Zoo’s past. Some of the other protected buildings that should definitely be highlighted are the magnificent “Egyptians”, statues about 5m high, and the “Neapolitan Fisherman” who fishes along the shore of the lake.
Animals
The zoo is home to 2,225 animals representing 275 species.
= Exhibits
=Mammals
Some of the mammals include;
Birds
Some of the birds include;
Fish
Some of the fishes includes;
Amphibians
Some of the fishes includes;
Reptiles
Some of the reptiles includes;
Invertebrates
Some of the invertebrates include;
Gallery
Zagreb Zoo
References
External links
Official website
Novi projekti i sve više sadržaja za posjetitelje (in Croatian)
Gradi se novi zoološki vrt, gotovo četiri puta veći od maksimirskog! (in Croatian)