A zoo is the most important place for Wildlife protection and conservation. The Zoo is also known as an animal park or menagerie. The zoo is the abbreviation of Zoological Garden. Unlike, Wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks, Zoos do not provide natural habitat to the animals but they provide wonderful conservation services. From Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa, zoos are around the world to protect Earth’s wildlife and educate people about how they can help.
With the rapid extinction of the most vulnerable animals, zoos have become extremely important to protect wildlife. However, most of the zoos are only one or two acres large, housing only a handful of animals, while others are massive and are able to protect and keep animals from various environments.
We have done the research and curated this list of the largest zoos in the world. We also mention the timing and location of the zoo so that you will get complete information in one place. These monumental establishments showcase not only the immense biodiversity of our planet but also the efforts dedicated to conservation, education, and the preservation of endangered species.
Largest Zoos in the World
This is the list of largest animal parks in the world as per the area. The topmost zoo listed on this list named The Wilds is the largest zoo in the world as per the area.
1. The Wilds
The Wilds is a private, non-profit safari park and conservation center. It is located in southeastern Muskingum County, Ohio, just west of the village of Cumberland. This place is spread over 9,154 acres (3,704 hectares) of reclaimed coal mine land and it also includes 2,000 acres (810 ha) of pastures and a 27-acre (11 ha) Carnivore Conservation Center. The Wilds is the largest zoo in the world by area.
Wilds are rare and endangered species from around the globe living in natural, open-range habitats. It has an Audubon Important Bird Area, butterfly habitat, hiking trails, more than 15 miles (24 km) of mountain bike and hiking trails, and approximately 150 lakes. You can also do activities like ziplining, horseback riding, fishing, and more here.
Area: 9,154 acres (3,704 ha) (37.04 km²)
Location: Cumberland, Ohio, United States
Number of animals: More than 300
Species: less than 25
Date Opened: 1994
2. Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park
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Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park is the second-largest zoo in the world by area and biggest zoo in Asia. It covers an area of 5,532 acres (22.39 square kilometers). This zoo was founded on 29 September 1987. This world’s largest zoo is named after the Lord of Seven Hills in Tirupati “Sri Venkateswara”.
The major exhibits in this zoo are elephants, peafowl, Sambar deer, parakeet, regular leopards, lions, wild boar, white tiger and crocodile, black bear, and more. This zoo has a Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s biggest leopard on the name of the Balaji leopard. He weighed 139–143 kg (306–315 lb). He died at the age of 27 on June 11, 2013, due to illness and old age.
Area: 5,532 acres (2,239 ha)
Location: Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, India
Timing: Summer (March to August): 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM | Winter (September to February): 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM
Major exhibits: Elephant, peafowl, Sambar deer, parakeet, regular leopard, lions, wild boar, white tiger and crocodile, black bear
Date Opened: 1987
3. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) is a part of the Smithsonian Institution. It is located just outside the town of Front Royal, Virginia, and has a 3,200-acre (13 km2) campus. It has the Smithsonian National Zoological Park as its part. We consider the total land area of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute as the largest zoo in the world by area.
Total Land Area: 3,200 acres (13 km2)
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
The Smithsonian National Zoological Park is one of the oldest zoos in the United States with 400 species in it. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution and does not charge admission. The major exhibits here are Amazonia, Asia Trail, Giant Panda Habitat, Great Ape House, and Think Tank.
Area: 163 acres
Address: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008
Date opened: May 6, 1889
No. of Animals: 2,000
No. of species: 400
4. Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens was formerly known as the Living Desert Museum. It is a desert botanical garden and a zoo which is located in Palm Desert, Riverside County, California, United States. The Living Desert Zoo includes the Sonoran Desert of the Coachella Valley and the Santa Rosa Mountains foothills near Palm Springs, California.
Area: 1,800 acres (730 ha)
Location: Palm Desert, California, United States
Timing: Open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
No. of animals: 430
No. of species: 150
5. San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Till 2010, The San Diego Zoo Safari Park was named as San Diego Wild Animal Park. After that, its name has changed. It is situated in the San Pasqual Valley area of San Diego, California, near Escondido with a total area of 1,800 acres (730 ha).
It is one of the largest tourist attractions in San Diego Country. The park has a large number of wild and endangered animals that include species from the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia.
San Diego Zoo is part of this Safari Park. We included the total area of San Diego Zoo and Safari Park in this list of the largest zoos in the world.
Total Land Area: 1,800 acres (7.3 km2)
San Diego Zoo, California
Located in California, San Diego is one of the best and also one of the largest zoos in the world. Covering a total land area of about 100 acres, it is one of the rare zoos to accommodate and breed giant pandas. However, it also encompasses several species and subspecies of animals. Apart from preserving and conserving the wild animals, it also ensures an open-air exhibit for each animal with an aim to eventually release the animals into the wild in the future.
Moreover, The San Diego Zoo Global is a not-for-profit organization that operates the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is working to save species worldwide by uniting expertise in animal and plant care and conservation science with a dedicated inspiring passion for nature.
Area: 100 acres
Location: 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Timings: 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM
Date Opened: 1916
No. of Animals: 3,700+
No of Species: 650+
6. Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Arignar Anna Zoological Park is one of the modern and scientifically managed located in Vandalur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is the Second largest zoological park in India and houses 2,553 species of flora and fauna across 1,265 acres of area. It is the second-largest zoo in the world by acreage. It was established with an objective to be a repository of the state’s fauna. Also, It is credited with being the second wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu after Mudumalai National Park.
Moreover, it is one of the most popular picnic spots in Vandalur and is an amazing place to discover the flora and fauna of the region. In addition to having an extensive collection of endemic and exotic animals, visitors can also experience the wild firsthand with a trip to safari parks where lions and deer can be easily spotted.
Area: 1,265 acres
Location: GST Road, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600048
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM from Wednesday to Monday. Tuesday Closed
No. of animals: 2,302 (2017)
No. of species: 169 (2017)
Date Opened: 1855
Annual visitors: 1.77 million (2016-2017)
7. North Carolina Zoo
The North Carolina Zoo is located in North Carolina, just south of Asheboro in Randolph County. It is located on a total area of 2,600 acres (1,100 ha) of which 500 acres (200 ha) is a developed area. It is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo in the world and one of two state-supported zoos.
Land area: 2,600 acres (1,100 ha)
Address: Asheboro, North Carolina, United States
Timing: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
No. of animals: 1,800
No. of species: 250
8. Nandankanan Zoological Park
Nandankanan Zoological Park is a zoo and botanical garden in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India with a total area of 437 hectares (1,080 acres). It was established in 1960 and opened to the public in 1979 and became the first zoo in India to join the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in 2009. It includes Chandaka forest and the 134-acre (54 ha) Kanjia lake.
Land area: 437 ha (1,080 acres)
Address: Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Timing: April to September (07.30 hrs. to 17.30 hrs.) | October to March (08.00 hrs. to 17.00 hrs.) | Zoological Park remains closed every Monday
No. of animals 3517 (2019-03-31)
No. of species 157 (2019)
9. Zoo Miami
The Zoo Miami, also known as Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens is the largest zoo in the United States as well as the largest zoo in North America. Zoo Miami has approximately 750 acres (304 ha) of ara but only 324 acres (131 ha) of which has developed. This zoo houses over 3,000 animals.
The zoo was opened in 1948 as Crandon Park Zoo and then relocated on July 4, 1980, as Miami MetroZoo.
Area: 750 acres (304 ha) (324 acres (131 ha) developed
Location: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
No. of animals: 3000
No. of species: 500
Date Opened: 1948 as Crandon Park Zoo | July 4, 1980, as Miami MetroZoo
10. Toronto Zoo
Founded by Hugh A. Crothers, the Toronto Zoo is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With a total land area of about 710 acres, Toronto Zoo is the largest zoo in Canada. Encompassing more than 5,000 different animal species, it is a popular attraction amongst tourists belonging to different regions all over the world. Also, it is Canada’s premier zoo known for its interactive education and conservation activities.
Area: 710 acres
Location: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON M1B 5K7, Canada
Timings: 09:30 AM to 04:30 PM (Mon-Fri); 09:30 AM to 06:00 PM (Sat, Sun)
Date opened: August 15, 1974
No. of animals: 5,000+
No. of species: 460+
Annual visitors: 1,462,910 (2013)
11. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is located at Kambalakonda Reserve Forest in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is surrounded by the Eastern Ghats on three sides and the Bay of Bengal on the fourth side. It covers an area of 625 acres (253 ha). This zoo is the third-largest zoo in India and is named after the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.
Land area 625 acres (253 ha)
Address: near Dairy Farm, Yendada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530040
Timing: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day. | Closed on Monday.
No. of animals 850
No. of species 75
12. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Designated as the topmost zoological garden in the United States, Columbus Zoo has a diverse attraction that offers a memorable experience to its visitors. Covering an area of about 580 acres of land, it houses about 7,000 animal species. Apart from this, this destination is also applauded for its commendable efforts in the conservation and
protection of wildlife. So far, it has raised approximately 3 million for 70 projects.
Area: 580 acres
Location: 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065, USA
Timings: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Date Opened: 1927
No. of species: over 800
No. of Animals: more than 7,000
Annual Visitors: 360,000
13. Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden
The Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden spreads over 432 acres (175 hectares) in the North East region. The zoo is located within the Hengrabari Reserved Forest in Guwahati, India. The zoo has about 895 animals, birds, and reptiles and almost 113 species of animals and birds from around the world.
Land area: 432.435 acres (175.000 ha)
Address: Zoo Road, Guwahati, India
Timing: 8 Am to 4:30 PM
Number of Animals– 1170
Species: 84
14. The Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is one of the oldest metropolitan zoos in the world. Located in the majestic city of New York, it has a total land area of about 265 acres housing around 4000 animals belonging to different species. Also, it is one of the best attractions to visit in New York and attracts nearly 2 million visitors every year. In fact, it is a must-visit attraction for every animal-lover in the splendorous New York City. Moreover, The Bronx Zoo is world-renowned for its large and diverse animal collection, and its award-winning exhibitions. The zoo is part of an integrated system of four zoos and one aquarium managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and it is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Area: 265 acre
Location: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
Timings: 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM (Mon-Fri); 10:00 AM to 05:30 PM (Sat, Sun)
Date opened: November 8, 1899
No. of animals: 4,000 (2010)
No. of species: 650 (2010)
15. Beijing Zoo
Beijing Zoo is a zoological park located in the capital of the People’s Republic of China. Founded in 1906, Beijing Zoo is home to around 450 different species and has a population of some 5,000 animals. Also, it is known to have the largest collection of animals in China. Visitors can spot various species of animals such as the Chinese Great Salamander, Giant pandas, South China Tigers, and many more. Also, it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in China with over six million people visiting every year.
Area: 220 acres
Location: 137 Xizhimen Outer St, DongWuYuan, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100037
Timings: 07:30 AM to 06:00 PM (Apr-Oct); 07:30 AM to 05:00 PM (Nov-Mar)
Opened: 1908
No. of animals: 14,500
No. of species: 950
16. National Zoological Gardens of Africa
The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa is also known as The Pretoria Zoo one of the eight largest zoos in the world and the only zoo in Africa with National status. Located in a natural habitat, of South Africa, this Zoological garden is the national zoo of South Africa.
Encompassing a total land area of about 210 acres, It is a unique destination that comprises mainly flatlands on one side and the other side slightly hilly, separated by the Apies River flowing through the zoo. Also, it houses a wide range of animals living in their natural habitats such as Koalas, Komodo dragons, and Kangaroos along with African animals like leopards, gorillas, elephants, and many others.
It is surrounded by flat plains and a mountainous northern side, with the Apies River, which is also a famous picnic spot for families, and a cable car that connects to the top of the hills to the entrance at the bottom and provides majestic views of the entire zoo and all its enclosures.
Area: 210-acre (86 hectare)
Location: 232 Boom St, Daspoort 319-Jr, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
Timings: 08:30 AM to 05:30 PM
Date opened: 21 October 1899
No. of Animals: About 9,000
No. of Species: About700
Read More, Adventurous and Best Safaris in South Africa
17. Henry Doorly Zoo
Ranked as one of the top-paid attendance attractions in the world, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is located in Omaha, Nebraska. Encompassing nearly 17,000 animals belonging to 962 different species, this Omaha’s zoo is spread across an area of over 130 acres. Also, it is one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the state that features the largest cat complex in North America, the world’s largest indoor swamp, the world’s largest indoor desert, as well as the largest glazed geodesic dome in the world.
Area: 130 acres
Location: 3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107, USA
Timings: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Date opened: 1894 as Riverview Park Zoo
No. of Species: 962
Annual visitors: ~2,000,000
Also, Read about the Largest Aquariums In The World
18. St. Louis Zoo
With an area of a mere 90 acres of land, the St. Louis Zoo is one of the best tourist destinations that hosts nearly 3 million people every year. It houses nearly 18,700 animals belonging to over 603 different species. Also, it has been voted as the Best Zoo and America’s Top Free Attraction. Here, visitors can explore nearly 16,000+ animals of which many are rare and endangered. Furthermore, the Zoo is famed for its innovative approaches to animal management, wildlife conservation, research, and education. All these make this zoo one of the best zoos in the world.
Area: 90 acres
Location: Government Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
Timing: 9 AM to 5 PM -All Days in Week
19. Berlin Zoological Garden
With a total land area of about 86.5 acres of land, the Berlin Zoological Garden houses a grand number of animals, that is, around 19,500. This is the largest zoo in the world as per the number of animals. Being the oldest zoo in Germany, it has a commendable system for the conservation and preservation of wildlife. Also, designated as one of the most visited zoos in Europe, it is the most popular zoo worldwide famed for the grand stature it holds. Moreover, the zoo collaborates with many universities, research institutes, and other zoos around the world. It maintains and promotes European breeding programs, helps safeguard several endangered species, and participates in several species reintroduction programs
Area: 86.5 acres
Location: Hardenbergplatz 8, 10787 Berlin, Germany
Timings: 09:00 AM to 06:30 PM
20. Moscow Zoo
Designated as one of the oldest zoos in Europe and also the largest zoo in Russia, Moscow Zoo is an outstanding example of development with time. After undergoing a renovation in the 1990s, the zoo has now an extended land area with a separate aquarium and a sea lion exhibit. It is also home to about 6000 different animal species with numerous other attractions for kids and a footbridge connecting the opposite parts of the zoo. Moreover, the zoo studies animals’ behavior, feeding, and reproduction, and breeds rare endangered species.
Area: 53-acre
Location: Bolshaya Gruzinskaya Street, 1, Moskva, Russia, 123242
Timings: 07:30 AM to 09:00 PM
21. London Zoo
Being the oldest scientific zoo in the world, the London Zoo was established in the year 1828 exclusively for scientific research. But, it was opened to the general public in the year 1847. It encompasses an area of about 36 acres and is also sometimes called Regent’s Zoo.
One of the most interesting about this place is that it houses a collection of 698 species of animals, with 20,166 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom. In fact, the Beijing Zoo is a well-known destination for many rare animals including the giant pandas, The red panda, the golden snub-nosed monkey, the South China tiger, the white-lipped deer, Pere David’s deer, the crested ibis, the Chinese alligator, and Chinese giant salamander and many more.
Area: 36 acres
Location: London NW1 4RY, UK
Timings: 10:00 AM to 05:30 PM
No. of animals: 19,289 (2018)
No. of species: 673 (2018)
Annual visitors: 1,133,952 (2018)
Read More, Best Destinations for Wildlife Safari in the World
By supporting and visiting these extraordinary zoological parks, we play a role in the preservation of our planet’s natural treasures and the vital message of conservation they carry forth.
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Experts’ Answers to FAQs
A. The largest zoo can be categorized into two types; by area and by a number of animals. The Wild is the largest zoo in the world by area with an area of 9,154 acres (3,704 ha) and Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park is the second largest zoo by area in the world with an area of 5,532 acres (22.39 square kilometers).
The Berlin Zoological Garden is the largest in the world by the number of species. The zoo has 1,500 species and 19,500 animals in total.
A. The Bronx Zoo is the largest zoo in the US by area, measuring 265 acres. It is located at 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460.
A. The North Carolina Zoo or NC Zoo is not the world’s largest zoo but the world’s largest natural habitat zoo and one of two state-supported zoos. It spreads over 500 acres and is located in the heart of North Carolina, just south of Asheboro in Randolph County. It is home to more than 1,800 animals such as Ham (Pan), Stanley Rhino, Apollo, and Bomassa.
A. The Wilds is the largest zoo in Asia as well as in the world by area. It covers an area of 9,154 acres (3,704 ha)
