Baku Zoo Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Baku Zoo
Bakı Zooloji Parkı
Entrance of the zoo
Location	Baku city, N.Narimanov district, A.Bakikhanov 39
Land area	4.25 ha (10.5 acres)
No. of animals	850
No. of species	125
Annual visitors	60,000

The Baku Zoological Park, often called Baku Zoo, is a fun place to visit in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. It's located in the Narimanov district and covers about 10.5 acres. This zoo is home to over 125 different kinds of animals, making it one of the most popular zoos in the country!

History of Baku Zoo
- A New Beginning: The Zoo Reopens
Gallery
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History of Baku Zoo

The Baku Zoo started very small in 1928. It was just a little animal corner in what is now Nizami Park. On January 2, 1942, this small corner officially became the Zoological Park.

For many years, until the 1980s, the zoo was quite small, only about 1 hectare (which is like 2.5 acres). In 1982, the zoo got bigger, growing to 2.25 hectares. Then, in 2001, it expanded even more by 2 hectares. Today, the Baku Zoo covers a total of 4.25 hectares, which is about 10.5 acres.

Since 1995, the zoo has welcomed many new animals. Some of these include dwarf deer, kangaroos, zebus, chitals, alpacas, llamas, and big cats like Amur tigers, leopards, and jaguars. They also brought in different kinds of monkeys, beautiful flamingos, and various exotic birds. For reptiles, they added Nile crocodiles, pythons, anacondas, and iguanas.

The zoo also built special homes for the animals. These include aviaries for birds and terrariums for reptiles. They even created 30 large aquariums for different types of fish and plants from tropical places.

The Baku Zoo is very important for nature. It is listed as a "Specially protected natural area" by the law of Azerbaijan. Since 1995, it has been a member of the Eurasian Regional Association Zoos and Aquariums. This means it works with other zoos to help animals.

A New Beginning: The Zoo Reopens

The Baku Zoo closed for a big renovation in 2017. After about four years of hard work, it reopened its doors on October 7, 2021. The opening ceremony showed off the zoo's new look and the improved homes for the animals.

During the renovation, the zoo built much nicer and bigger enclosures for the animals. They also added an aquaterrarium, a petting zoo where you can get closer to some animals, an artificial lake, and pools. There's even a veterinary clinic to make sure all the animals stay healthy. The new enclosures are designed to fit the needs of each animal species.

The whole zoo complex became a more comfortable and interesting place for visitors. Its total area almost doubled to 4.25 hectares. The people working on the renovation were careful to protect all the existing trees and bushes. The zoo now has a more natural look, and its green areas grew to 6700 square meters. This makes it a great place for both animals and visitors.

Besides the animal exhibits, the renovated zoo also has a playground for kids, a lecture hall for learning, and electronic stands for tours. The Baku Zoo is now a place for everyone to enjoy and learn, including people with disabilities.

The renovation changed more than just the zoo's appearance. It also changed its main goal. The zoo now aims to be a center for education, research, and protecting animals. People can learn about nature, especially the rare animals of Azerbaijan. The zoo helps animals reproduce and even reintroduce species that are listed in Azerbaijan's "Red Book" (a list of endangered species). The zoo focuses on animal welfare. They usually don't bring in new animals. Sometimes, they give shelter to wild animals that have been rescued or kept illegally.

Today, the Baku Zoo is home to 125 species. Twenty-two of these are listed in the Red Book of Azerbaijan. The animals live in conditions that are as close to their natural homes as possible. You can see animals like Amur tigers, African lions, leopards, jaguars, zebras, bisons, brown bears, chitals, red deers, alpacas, llamas, kangaroos, maned sheep, wolfs, foxes, and many kinds of monkeys.

The zoo also has many types of birds, including waterfowl like flamingos, pelicans, ducks, and swans. You can also see birds of prey like golden eagles and white-tailed eagles. There are exotic birds like macaws and cockatoos, plus pheasants and peacocks. For reptiles, you'll find snakes, crocodiles, iguanas, and turtles, along with various fish.