Do you love animals, traveling and visiting amazing zoos? Well, we have compiled a list of the biggest and greatest zoos in the world for you to visit!
Forget the idea that zoos are synonymous of small caged animals and poorly maintenance. The world is full of places where the animals are super well treated and only get from the good to the best. And the coolest of all is that, depending on the country you are, you can see local animals that are super rare for the rest of the world, such as pandas in China, koalas and kangaroos in Australia, and others.
Some of them have extra attractions, such as Sydney Zoo, where the landscape is almost as cool as the animal life, or San Diego Zoo, where you can spend the night “camping” or Singapore Zoo, where you can do a night safari.
1) Toronto Zoo
With an area of 710 acres, the Toronto Zoo is the largest in Canada and boasts over 16,000 exciting animals to see. The zoo itself is divided into geographic regions (i.e. Africa, Eurasia, Canada, the Americas, Indo-Malaya and Tundra) to make it easier to understand the origin of the animals.
2) Bronx Zoo.
Located in the Bronx, New York, this zoo is the largest and oldest metropolitan zoo in the USA. It features over 6,000 animals with some exciting exhibition such as the World of Reptiles and the World of Birds where you can see a whopping 650 species. The animals are currently living in environments that recreate the habitat from which they were removed, whether it be a tropical forest or an African savanna. The Zoo also serves as a center for the rehabilitation and conservation of several species. On Wednesdays and on weekends the entrees are cheaper.
3) Beijing Zoo.
This zoo dates back to 1906, when it first started to house rare species. The Beijing Zoo is the oldest Zoo in China. Here, you can enjoy seeing over 14,500 different animals and over 500 species of marine creatures. In addition to tourist attraction, it also serves as a research center for some rare species. The place still has typical Chinese gardens with plants, streams and lotus flowers. The most notable feature of this spectacular zoo is definitely the Giant Pandas which are a hit with everyone! The Zoo is open from 7:30 to 17:30.
4) Berlin Zoological Garden.
As the oldest and most popular zoo in Germany, the Berlin Zoological Garden doesn’t cease to impress. Visitors come from all over Germany (and Europe) to spot the zoo’s 17,000 animals (which is the world’s biggest collection of species). Like the Beijing Zoo, the Berlin Zoological Garden is most famous for its Giant Pandas which are kept in pristine conditions.
5) Henry Doorly Zoo.
The Henry Doorly Zoo is located in Omaha, Nebraska and is the largest zoo in the world! It wins the number one spot as its combination of size (130 acres) and the number of species together make it the biggest. Also, it has an amazing cat complex which is the biggest of such complexes in North America, as well as a vast indoor swamp, the biggest glazed geodesic dome on Earth and the world’s largest indoor desert! It is for all these reasons that the Henry Doorly Zoo is certainly worth a visit if you happen to be in Omaha, Nebraska!
6) Taronga Zoo.
Only the way and the view are already worth the ride. Located on the other side of Sydney Bay, the Taronga Zoo is a few minutes by ferry from the city center. There are more than 4,000 animals, including native species of Australia, such as koalas and kangaroos. The zoo also guests 19 chimpanzees. The cable car ride inside the zoo is a must do. Do not forget to take your camera!
7) National Zoological Gardens of South Africa.
As expected, the African wild animals are the majority in this charming Zoo in Pretoria, South Africa. There are more than 9.000 animals, more than 700 species, and many of them were born on the spot. Leopards, rhinos, lions, elephants, giraffes, among others, can be seen there. But the Zoo also has a large number of animals from other regions of the planet, including pandas and marmosets.