Address: Moscow, st. Bolshaya Gruzinskaya, 1
Foundation date: 1864 year
Coordinates: 55 ° 45'45.3 "N 37 ° 34'37.5" E
Content:
The Metropolitan Zoo was opened in January 1864, thanks to the efforts of members of the Imperial Society for the Acclimatization of Animals. For a century and a half, it has turned into a large entertainment and educational center, on the territory of which both children and adults love to visit. The zoo is located in the center of a bustling metropolis. Its employees constantly participate in international programs and hold many interesting exhibitions.
A bird's eye view of the Moscow Zoo. View of the main entrance to a large pond
History
The place where the zoo is located today has long been called Presnenskie ponds. In the valley of the river. Presnya had many gardens and hay meadows, and Muscovites loved to walk here. The zoo was created by the staff of Moscow University with funds donated by wealthy residents of the city and members of the royal family.
At the time of the opening, one and a half hundred wild animals lived in open-air cages and cages, about the same number of domestic animals and several species of reptiles. Most of them represented the fauna of the Russian Empire. In the new Moscow zoo one could see wolves, bears, elks, hares, foxes, squirrels and hedgehogs. Of the exotic animals in Moscow, a rhino, a leopard, a crocodile, a jaguar and two lions were kept.
Big pond view
The new zoo was not only a public spectacular place, but also played the role of a large scientific center. Its employees successfully bred new domestic breeds and acclimatized thoroughbred animals brought from different parts of the world.
Almost every year the zoo sent out expeditions to exotic countries, and they were engaged in catching wild animals. In addition, the collection of animals was regularly replenished with gifts from the imperial family.
Together with the whole country, the zoo survived the revolutions and wars of the 20th century. But in difficult times, experienced biologists and enthusiasts have always been close to animals, whose dedication and work helped to preserve and increase the unique collections of animals and birds.
Flamingo
Old territory
In terms of area, the Moscow Zoo is second only to the zoo in Yaroslavl. Today in the capital, you can see more than 1150 species of fauna from all over the world. Almost 9,000 animals and birds are displayed in cages, aviaries, pools, ponds and terrariums.
The territory is divided into two parts - Old and New, and you can go from one to the other via a pedestrian bridge. The old part of the zoo houses a large collection of Russian animals and birds. Foxes, white hares and brown hares, a pair of wolves, raccoon dogs, sables and martens live here. Typical birds of our forests live in spacious enclosures - jackdaws, magpies, spotted woodpeckers, crows and jays.
Aviary with elephants
Walking through the Old Territory, the child can be shown animals and birds brought from Australia and South America. This part of the zoo houses giraffes, tapirs, spectacled bears, musk oxen, wildebeests, sea lions and large cats from the tropics.
One of the most popular places is the spacious elephant chamber. It is curious that the zoo received the first elephant as a gift from the Russian Emperor Alexander II. Today, the zoo's elephant house contains several Indian elephants.
Near the footbridge, near Bolshaya Gruzinskaya Street, there are cages with raccoons, sloths, armadillos and Japanese macaques. In addition, many birds can be seen in the old part of the zoo. The House of Birds with exotic birds, the Rock of Birds of Prey and the Crane Nursery are located here.
Aviary with lions
Walk in New Territory
Younger visitors love the playground. This is the name of the part of the zoo in which the animals settled - the heroes of folk tales. Here, the kids are shown seven little kids, a fox, a crane, a real incubator and newly hatched chicks. If the weather is good and there is no rain, a small petting zoo is opened on the playground from 12:00 to 14:00.
The new territory is home to the typical inhabitants of the African shroud - zebra and black antelope. Families of meerkats, several tiny dik-dik antelopes and long-legged ostriches live near the enclosures with African ungulates. Nearby is the "Island of Animals", which is inhabited by lions, tigers, bears and noses.
Giraffe
The new part of the zoo houses a terrarium, an insectarium and an exotarium, as well as enclosures with mountain goats, deer, camels and animals from the polar regions. There is also a monkey house called the "House of the Primates". In winter, all monkeys are transferred to warm rooms, and in summer they frolic in open enclosures.
The large pond is home to several species of waterfowl. Standing on its shore, children can watch nimble gogols, graceful black-necked swans, white geese and large-billed pelicans. You can always see cormorants drying their wings near the pond.
Zebras
Education and zootherapy
The excursion program of the Moscow Zoo is very extensive! In order for little visitors to get to know the animals better, various excursions around the zoo and separate pavilions are conducted for them. Children's groups and individual families can take part in thematic excursions and get acquainted with the animals of certain regions. On weekends, the Old Territory offers an excursion called “Walk along the Equator”, during which children are taken to elephants, giraffes, tapirs, red panda and colorful tropical birds.
The Children's Lecture Hall is open on Saturdays at the zoo. One-hour classes for children 6-12 years old are conducted by professional zoologists, oceanologists and ecologists. During lectures, they talk about the peculiarities of keeping animals in captivity, as well as about animals and birds that live in the capital and the nearest suburbs of Moscow.
Polar bear
For schoolchildren, biology lessons are taught at the zoo. Children from 5 to 12 years old are invited to learn how to draw, take high-quality photographs, create cartoons and sculpt animals at the Art Zebra studio. Schoolchildren from 7 to 11 years old are welcome in the biological circle "Manulata".
Young visitors with health problems are also not ignored. For them, the zoo staff conduct zoo therapy classes. Children can easily relax from communication with animals and get a lot of positive emotions. Unusual meetings are organized in the zoo itself, in orphanages, boarding schools and at home.
White-tailed wildebeest
Entertainment
You can buy soft drinks, ice cream, pastries, snacks and sweets at various places in the zoo. In addition, the kiosks sell funny themed souvenirs and toys.
One of the popular activities that Moscow has to offer for children is pony riding at the zoo. The circle along which kids travel in sleighs and carriages has existed for many years. Some families of Muscovites keep old photos of children of different generations riding on ponies.
The zoo organizes children's parties and birthdays all year round. Kids and schoolchildren have the opportunity to have fun with friends and take part in interesting quests, educational programs and attractions.
Bengal Tiger (White Variation)
Before going to the zoo, you should check out its website and see the feeding schedule for large animals. It is always interesting for children to see how the animals receive food and communicate with their caretakers.
Information for visitors
You can enter the zoo on any day except Monday, from 9:00 to 18:00. Children under 17, students, full-time university students, conscripts, pensioners and members of large families are allowed here free of charge. Please note that the entrance is closed one hour before closing time. All privileged categories of the population must receive free tickets at the box office and present them at the entrance.
The cost of visiting the zoo for adults is 500 rubles (2018).Exotarium, exhibitions and pony riding are paid separately.
Gorillas
How to get there
The zoo is located within walking distance from the Krasnopresnenskaya and Barrikadnaya metro stations, on the street. Bolshaya Gruzinskaya, 1. This part of the city is easily accessible from any district of Moscow.
