Baku Zoo facts for kids

The Baku Zoo, also known as Bakı Zooloji Parkı, is a special place in Baku, Azerbaijan, where you can see many amazing animals. It started very small and has grown into a large, modern zoo. It's a great spot for families and students to learn about wildlife and have fun.

History of Baku Zoo

The Baku Zoo began in 1928 as a small animal area in a park. It was officially created as a Zoological Park on January 2, 1942. For many years, the zoo was quite small, covering only about 1 hectare.

Over time, the zoo needed more space for its animals. In 1982, its area grew to 2.25 hectares. To help the zoo develop even more, its size was increased again in 2001. Today, the Baku Zoo covers 4.25 hectares.

Since 1995, the Baku Zoo has been part of the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This means it works with other zoos to help animals. The zoo is also a "Specially protected natural area" under Azerbaijani law.

Amazing Animals and Improvements

Over the years, many new animals have come to the Baku Zoo. These include dwarf deer, kangaroos, zebras, and even big cats like Amur tigers and leopards. You can also see long-tailed monkeys, colorful flamingos, and different kinds of exotic birds. The zoo also has reptiles like Nile crocodiles, pythons, and iguanas.

The zoo has built special homes for these animals. This includes large bird cages (aviaries) and terrariums for reptiles. There are also 30 big aquariums filled with fish and plants from tropical countries. These homes are designed to be comfortable for the animals.

A Brand New Zoo Experience

From 2017, the Baku Zoo went through a huge renovation. It reopened its doors on October 7, 2021, looking completely new and improved. This big project took about four years to finish.

The renovation made the zoo much better for both animals and visitors. The animal enclosures are now bigger and more comfortable. There's a new aquaterrarium for water animals and reptiles. You can also visit a petting zoo, an artificial lake, and new pools. A modern veterinary clinic was built to care for the animals' health.

The total area of the zoo almost doubled to 4.25 hectares. During the repairs, special care was taken to protect all the existing trees and bushes. The zoo now has more green spaces, making it feel more natural. This helps the animals feel good and makes the visit more pleasant for guests.

The renovated zoo also offers new fun and educational spots. There's a playground for kids and a lecture hall where you can learn more about animals. Electronic stands provide information during your visit. The zoo is now a place for everyone, including people with disabilities, to relax, learn, and enjoy nature.

Zoo's New Mission and Conservation

After the renovation, the Baku Zoo has a new and important goal. It wants to be a center for education, research, and protecting wildlife. The main aim is to teach people about the natural world, especially the rare animals of Azerbaijan.

The zoo now works to help animal populations grow naturally. It also helps reintroduce species that are listed in Azerbaijan's "Red Book." These are animals that are rare or endangered.

The zoo cares deeply about animal welfare. Because of this, they usually don't bring in new animals. However, they do offer shelter to wild animals that have been rescued or kept illegally. This ensures that every animal at the zoo has a safe and caring home.

Animals You Can See Today

Today, the Baku Zoo is home to 125 different animal species. Twenty-two of these species are listed in the Red Book of Azerbaijan, meaning they are very important to protect. The zoo tries to make their homes as close to their natural habitats as possible.

You can see many types of mammals, including:

• Big cats like the Amur tiger, African lion, leopard, and jaguar.
• Large animals like zebras, bison, brown bears, and red deer.
• Unique animals such as alpacas, llamas, kangaroos, and maned sheep.
• Common animals like wolves and foxes.
• Various kinds of monkeys.

The zoo also has a wide variety of birds:

• Waterfowl like flamingos, pelicans, ducks, and swans.
• Birds of prey such as golden eagles, vultures, and ospreys.
• Exotic birds like macaws, cockatoos, and parrots.
• Beautiful pheasants and peacocks.
• Other interesting birds like the western swamp hen and Japanese crane.

And don't forget the reptiles, fish, and turtles! You can see snakes, crocodiles, and iguanas living in their special terrariums and aquariums.

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  Jaguar

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  Brown bear

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  African lion

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  Muntjac

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  Zebu

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  Red deer

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  Llama

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  Bactrian camel

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  Ostrich

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  Shetland pony

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  Rhesus macaque

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  Greater flamingo

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  Turtle

See also

In Spanish: Parque zoológico de Bakú para niños