Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
Zoos on our planet are not uncommon for a long time. For centuries, they have made it possible to see firsthand animals that can only be found in the wild, and some are even unlikely. Over time, many zoos have changed their concept and today spend significant resources on the conservation of threatened species. When compiling a rating of the largest zoos, both their area and the number of species living there can be taken into account. It would be more correct to focus on both factors, which our experts did.
Giant zoos: top 7 largest on the planet
| Nomination | a place | Name of product | ZOO SQUARE | Variety of animals |
| Giant zoos: top 7 largest on the planet | 1 | Beijing, China | 89 ha | 950 species |
| 2 | Toronto, Canada | 300 ha | 500 kinds | |
| 3 | Columbus, USA | 234 ha | 793 views | |
| 4 | Berlin, Germany | 35 ha | 1500 kinds | |
| 5 | Henry Doorley Zoo and Aquarium, USA | 52 ha | 962 views | |
| 6 | Pretoria, South Africa _ | 85 ha | 705 species of animals | |
| 7 | San Diego Zoo, USA | 40 ha | 650 species |
Beijing, China
Rating: 5.0
Area: 89 ha
Variety of animals: 950 species
The 'Garden of Ten Thousand Animals' and one of the main attractions of the Chinese capital – the Beijing Zoo is considered a must-see for tourists all over the world. Founded about 110 years ago on a vast area of more than 89 hectares, it is home to 5,000 animals belonging to 950 different species. Here you can find many rare, endangered representatives of the fauna. Most of them have been cultivated since the Qing Dynasty.
Among the most visited animals is the giant panda. Also among the most popular are Manchu tigers, polar bears – inhabitants of the North Pole, Tibetan yaks, Australian kangaroos, African zebras and many others. etc. Beijing Zoo welcomes more than 1 million tourists every year.
Toronto, Canada
Rating: 4.9
Area: 300 ha
Variety of animals: 500 species
The largest metropolitan zoo in the whole country opened its doors to visitors more than 45 years ago. Divided into 7 conventional parts, it offers tourists to see rare and unusual animals from all over the world. The Canadian Zoo has become a cozy home for 5,000 individuals, which are conveniently located on an impressive territory. It is considered by the locals to be the largest in North America and one of the best on the planet. And they are not far from the truth: this zoo is the largest in the world, the total length of all its paths is more than 10 km.
The living conditions of animals were as close to natural as possible: the territory was divided into several huge pavilions, inside of which a microclimate was created that was optimal for certain natural zones. Each pavilion has its own name (for example, 'Savannah', 'Australia', etc.) in accordance with the types of animals that live in them.
It is almost impossible to determine the boundaries of the pavilions, since animals move freely from one to another. Here you can admire hardworking beavers, huge hippos, ride jeep on an impromptu savanna, watch proud lions and see a huge collection of the most unusual insects from around the world.
The pride of the zoo is the giant Komodo lizards ('dragons'), courtesy of the Government of Indonesia. The Toronto Zoo also pleases its visitors with a huge aquarium, which boasts a mini-copy of the Great Barrier Reef with bamboo sharks, live corals, colorful fish, a separate pool with jellyfish and other representatives of the underwater world.
Columbus, USA
Rating: 4.8
Area: 234 ha
Variety of animals: 793 species
The world fame of this zoo, located in Ohio, was brought by its incredibly diverse fauna: it is easy to find almost any representative of the animal world here, be it a cheetah, gorilla or Australian kiwi. Visitors can plunge into the atmosphere of North America (wolves, bison, etc.), the African savannah (forest giraffe, lion, gazelle), Asian distant (Amur tiger, red panda) and the ocean coast (flying turtle, manatee, etc.).
The impressive territory, conditionally divided into 7 zones (depending on the characteristics of the regions of natural habitat of animals), is home to 7000 individuals of various shapes, sizes and species. In addition to traditional expositions, the park regularly pleases visitors with thematic events in honor of various events (for example, Earth Day, etc.). In 2009, Columbus was named the best in the United States.
Berlin, Germany
Rating: 4.7
Area: 35 ha
Variety of animals: 1500 species
Another record holder in our rating – the zoo of the German capital, although it is difficult to call the largest in terms of area, but in terms of the number and variety of inhabitants, it has no equal. On a rather modest territory, there are about 17,000 'inhabitants'. The species diversity of animals is amazing, and every year Berlin attracts a considerable number of tourists – more than 3 million people.
The country's first zoo, opened back in 1844, has long been one of its most important attractions. For many years it has been changing, expanding and developing. During World War II, the Berlin Zoo was destroyed almost to the ground: out of 4,000 of its inhabitants, no more than 100 survived.
It took more than 10 years to restore the landmark, and today it is one of the largest in the world. For animals, ideal living conditions have been created here, as close as possible to natural ones. Some of the zoo's inhabitants have so much room to live comfortably that visitors have to literally look for them through binoculars.
In the Berlin Zoo, you can admire the fluffy black and white beauties in the Panda Garden, gorgeous elephants in the Elephant House, enjoy bird songs in the Bird World, etc. Predators, birds, exotic, rare, endangered species of animals, as well as numerous species of fish, reptiles, reptiles, amphibians – all this can be seen by any visitor to the famous zoo.
Henry Doorley Zoo and Aquarium, USA
Rating: 4.6
Area: 52 ha
Variety of animals: 962 species
Founded more than a century and a half ago, today the Henry Doorley Zoo is considered unique: in terms of the number of inhabitants, no one can compare with it – for more than 17,000 animals, it has become a real home. A unique 'brainchild' has appeared on the territory of Riverview Park, created back in 1864 in Omaha. It got its current name a century later, when the widow of Henry Doorley donated about $ 1 million to the development of the zoo with a request to rename it in honor of her late husband.
Today, the zoo's primary task is to study animals and rescue those species that are on the verge of extinction or are close to it. The Omaha Zoo offers more than 25 exhibits, among which there are unique ones: 'The Dome of the Desert' – the world's largest imitation of the desert with the opportunity to observe the inhabitants there, 'Kingdom of the Night' – an indoor night exposition that has no equal on the planet.
Omaha Zoo, in addition to impressive exhibits and unique animals, also offers several educational programs for volunteers with the possibility of 'adoption' of animals. In addition to theory, these programs include field camps, expeditions, etc.
Pretoria, South Africa _
Rating: 4.5
Area: 85 ha
Animal Variety :: 705 Animal Species
Located on the impressive territory of Pretoria in South Africa, the zoo was recognized as national some time ago and received a new name – 'zoological garden'. Today it is the only one on the continent with such a status. Its main task is to study and preserve the fauna and flora of the continent of Africa. It is divided by the Apis River, which flows throughout its territory, into a flat part and a hilly part that occupies an entire slope.
Officially, the zoological garden owns several centers whose purpose is to preserve animals in other African regions. The Pretoria Zoo offers many interesting animal displays, as well as the opportunity to spend the night in nature to relax away from civilization or take an exciting excursion to discover the nightlife of wild life in nature.
The zoological garden boasts a huge reptile park, as well as a huge collection of South African plants – one of the few largest on the planet. For underwater lovers, visit the imposing aquarium at the Pretoria Zoo.
San Diego Zoo, USA
Rating: 4.4
Area: 40 ha
Variety of animals: 650 species
The San Diego Zoo can hardly be called the largest in our ranking, but it is definitely the most progressive of all. Created in 1921 by the city's zoological community ('Zoo Global'). His main concept, invariably brought to life, was proposed by Dr. Harry Wedgford – to give animals the opportunity to exist outside an enclosed space and without any cells.
But the inhabitants of the green massif living in the open air, nevertheless, are fenced off from visitors (more in order to protect the latter) with an almost imperceptible wire. The San Diego Zoo is divided into many zones: it will surprise and delight all visitors. There are themed sections here, ranging from tropical jungle to frosty taiga. Each zone has a strictly observed microclimate with flora and fauna typical for one or another zone.
Among the many zones, one can single out a unique exposition of the tropics with a variety of exotic birds and monkeys, 'bamboo thickets' where pandas (giant among them) live, a huge pool, near which spectacular predators live – cougar cougars, polar bears, etc. , it was in this zoo that giant pandas were born and lived a long life for the first time in the United States.
In San Diego, you can get acquainted not only with the animal world, but also with a colossal large collection of plants, including very rare ones (bamboos, for example, several dozen varieties grow here).
Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
