About
Moscow zoo is perfectly clean and highly organized. For each animal (there are more than 1,200 different species here), staff strive to recreate the natural habitat. That is why even the rarest animals successfully reproduce. For example, in August 2023, panda Katyusha was born in the zoo!
The zoo is divided into the Old Zoo and New Zoo. The two areas are connected by a bridge over a road.
Pop into the pavilions to admire elephants, primates, pinnipeds, tropical birds, butterflies, spiders, amphibians and other wildlife. Do not miss our aviary, where birds fly freely around visitors, as well as two exhibitions of reptiles. Zoo’s collection of poisonous snakes has no equivalent anywhere in the world!
The cutest domesticated animals are to be found in the Children's Zoo. Also there is a large pond with waterfowl by the main entrance. Check the feeding schedule on the website for a chance to see those animals usually hiding in secluded corners of their cages.
Lectures and treasure hunts
An important part of Moscow Zoo's work is education. Every second Thursday in Open Lecture Hall you can listen to scientists, ecologists, and popularizers of science absolutely for free, all you need to do is to register in advance. There are educational treasure hunts for children of different ages, which last from one to two hours.
In addition, bring your children to the pony club, where they can learn how to handle small, docile horses. The adult course “Behind the scenes at the zoo” includes lectures and practical lessons on animal husbandry in areas closed to ordinary visitors.
In spring, you can improve your knowledge by signing up for the vegetable growing and horticulture course. Young biology enthusiasts can attend the Manulata Biology Club once a week from October through May. The zoo also has two art centers, a club where biology is taught in English, and several projects for those with mental and physical disabilities.
Interesting facts
Moscow Zoo is one of the 10 most visited zoos in the world! Founded in 1864, it is one of the oldest zoos in Europe. The symbol of the zoo is the manul. Why? Because the zoo was the first place where regular breeding of this animal was achieved! The staff is also proud of the birth of a female panda, Humboldt penguins, a rare radiated tortoise, capybaras and cat lemurs. Elephants need a lot of food, so most of the money is spent on keeping them.
In order to keep the animals from getting bored, Moscow Zoo staff buy creative toys. Sometimes, the toys are unexpected objects: fire hoses, plastic barrels, rings for well shafts, traffic cones or mooring shock absorbers for ships. Every year in January there is a campaign called “Gifts for the zoo” and those who bring balls, swings, ladders, ropes and other toys approved by zoologists are given free admission. You can also become a “Friend of the Zoo” and contribute to the zoo’s ongoing development.
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