Moscow zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Europe
The Metropolitan zoo was opened in January 1864, thanks to the efforts of members of the Imperial society for animal acclimatization. For a century and a half, it has become a large entertainment and educational center, where both children and adults like 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.
Moscow zoo from a bird's-eye view. View of the main entrance big pond
History
The place where the zoo is located today has long been called Presnensky ponds. In the valley of the presni river there were many gardens and hay meadows, and Muscovites liked to walk here. The zoo was created by employees of Moscow University with funds allocated by rich residents of the city and members of the Royal family.
At the time of opening, one and a half hundred wild animals, about the same number of domestic animals and several species of reptiles lived in aviaries and cages. Most of them represented the fauna of the Russian Empire. In the new Moscow zoo, you could see wolves, bears, moose, hares, foxes, squirrels and hedgehogs. Of the exotic animals in Moscow, they kept a rhinoceros, a leopard, a crocodile, a Jaguar and two lions.
View of a large pond
The new zoo was not only a public entertainment venue, but also played the role of a large scientific center. Its employees successfully bred new domestic breeds and conducted acclimatization of pedigreed animals brought from different parts of the world.
Almost every year the zoo sent expeditions to exotic countries, and they were engaged in catching wild animals. In addition, the collection of animals was regularly supplemented by gifts from the Imperial family.
Together with the whole country, the zoo survived the revolutions and wars of the XX century. But in difficult times, there were always experienced biologists and enthusiasts around the animals, whose dedication and work helped to preserve and multiply the unique collections of animals and birds.
Flamingo
Old territory
The area of the Moscow zoo is second only to the zoo in Yaroslavl. Today, more than 1,150 species of fauna from all over the world can be seen in the capital. Almost 9,000 animals and birds are displayed in cages, aviaries, pools, ponds and terrariums.
The territory is divided into two parts - the Old and the New, and you can go from one to the other via a pedestrian bridge. The old part of the zoo has a large collection of animals and birds of Russia. Here live foxes, white hares and hares, a couple of wolves, raccoon dogs, Sables and Martens. The spacious aviaries are home to typical birds of our forests-jackdaws, magpies, pied woodpeckers, crows and jays.
The enclosure with the elephants
Walking through the Old territory, the child can show animals and birds brought from Australia and South America. This part of the zoo houses giraffes, tapirs, spectacled bears, musk oxen, wildebeest, sea lions and large cats from the tropics.
One of the most popular places is the spacious elephant house. Curiously, the zoo received its first elephant as a gift from the Russian Emperor Alexander II. Today, the zoo's elephant house contains several Indian elephants.
Next to the pedestrian bridge, 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. There is a bird House with exotic birds, a rock of birds of prey and a crane nursery.
Enclosure with lions
Walk through the New territory
Young visitors like the Playground very much. This is the name of the part of the zoo where the animals - heroes of folk tales-settled. Here the kids are shown seven small goats, 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 Savannah-Zebra and black antelope. Near the aviaries with African ungulates live a family of meerkats, a few tiny antelopes Dik-Dik and long-legged ostriches. Nearby is the "Island of animals", which is home to lions, tigers, bears and snouts.
Giraffe
The new part of the zoo houses a terrarium, insectarium and 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 primates". In winter, all the monkeys are moved to warm rooms, and in summer they frolic in open enclosures.
The large pond has become home to several species of waterfowl. Standing on its Bank, children can watch the nimble gogols, graceful black-necked swans, white geese and large-billed pelicans. Near the pond, you can always see cormorants drying their wings.
Zebras
Education and ozone therapy
The excursion program of the Moscow zoo is very extensive! In order for young visitors to get to know the animals better, various tours of the zoo's territory and individual pavilions are conducted for them. Children's groups and individual families can participate in thematic excursions and get to know the animals of certain regions. On weekends, the Old territory hosts a "Walk on the equator" tour, during which children are taken to see elephants, giraffes, tapirs, red pandas and colorful tropical birds.
On Saturdays, The zoo has a children's lecture hall. Hour-long classes for children 6-12 years old are conducted by professional zoologists, oceanologists and ecologists. During the lectures, they talk about the peculiarities of keeping animals in captivity, as well as about the animals and birds that live in the capital and the nearest suburbs of Moscow.
Polar bear
The zoo offers biology classes for school children. Children from 5 to 12 years old are invited to learn how to draw, take high-quality photos, create cartoons and sculpt animals in the Studio "Art-Zebra". Students from 7 to 11 years old are expected in the biological circle "Manulyata".
Young visitors with health problems are also not ignored. For them, the zoo staff provides classes in zootherapy. From communicating with animals, children easily relax 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
Entertainments
In different places of the zoo, you can buy soft drinks, ice cream, pastries, snacks and sweets. In addition, kiosks sell funny themed Souvenirs and toys.
One of the most popular activities that Moscow can offer for children is riding a pony in the zoo. The circle in which the kids are traveling in sleighs and carriages, there is a lot of years. Some families of Muscovites keep old photos of children of different generations sitting on a pony.
All year round, the zoo organizes children's holidays and birthdays. Kids and school children have the opportunity to have fun with friends and participate in interesting quests, educational programs and attractions.
Bengal tiger (White variation)
Before going to the zoo, you should look at its website and see the feeding schedule for large animals. Children are always interested to see how animals get food and communicate with their keepers.
Information for visitors
The zoo is open every day except Monday, from 9: 00 to 18: 00. Children under 17 years of age, students, full-time students of universities, conscripts, pensioners and members of large families are allowed here free of charge. Keep in mind that the entrance is closed an hour before closing. All privileged categories of the population must receive free tickets at the ticket office and present them at the entrance.
Gorillas
