Bratislava Zoo

One interesting place in the city for a family outing is Bratislava Zoo.

History of Bratislava Zoo

Bratislava did not have its own zoo before World War II. In 1948 the local authorities decided to set up a zoo, but first they had to find a suitable location for building large aviaries. After discussions, a decision was made to build the complex in the Mlynská dolina area in the foothills of the Little Carpathian Mountains. The inauguration of the zoo took place in 1960, and its total area was 9 hectares. There were plans to expand the area over time, but due to the construction of motorways in 1985 a large part of the complex was abandoned. Another sizeable plot was acquired in 2003 for the construction of a motorway. The decision was then made to close the complex, and to renovate it completely. As a result, the area has grown almost tenfold to 96 hectares, better conditions for the animals have been created, new inhabitants have been brought in, and recreational areas have been created.

The Bratislava Zoo boasts the first breeding successes already in its first decade of existence. Many animal species have been successfully bred here, including macaques, baboons, porcupines, nutria, leopards, cougars and dingoes. Moreover, the Bratislava Zoo is one of the first zoos in Europe to have bred lynxes. This exceptional breeding success was noted in the logo of the zoo, where the head of the lynx still dominates to this day.

Present time

The zoo is home to 185 different animal species. This place is known for its unique collection of animals, among which are some of the rarest species, such as the Nubian Adax, Visayan wild boar, Sumatran orangutan, Turkmen coulang, golden-faced gibbon, Liberian hippo and Ceylon leopard. The zoo also boasts that it is the only one in Slovakia where you can see giraffes, rhinos and chimpanzees.

There are aviaries for mammals, separate complexes for birds and separate areas for reptiles. Not only are the animals kept here, but a species rescue system is also in operation. A prime example is the breeding of the island lynx, which has become the symbol of the entire complex. Here one can also see little kulans, as well as the foals of Przewalski's horse. The white rhinoceros and white Bengal tiger are the pride of the whole complex.

The animals in the zoo live in an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible. Each of their enclosures is designed to meet their needs for food, water, places for quiet rest and activity. In addition, the zoo is actively engaged in the conservation and breeding of rare and endangered animal species to help preserve them for future generations. In 2009, for example, the first pink flamingos hatched. In 2011, the zoo began breeding red pandas, and two years later the first cubs were born to a breeding pair. In 2016, the ornamental porcupine, green python, white-fronted hen, spotted doe, Vishai boar and other species were added to the animal collection, including those that are endangered and included in the European Rescue Programme. A new enclosure for Eurasian wolves was opened in 2017, which mimics the species' natural habitat.

In addition to the main attractions, the zoo also offers various activities for visitors, such as cafés, souvenir shops and playgrounds for children. The zoo also hosts educational events that aim to educate visitors about animals and their protection in the wild.

The Bratislava Zoo is a place where everyone can learn more about the fauna of different parts of the world, including our neighbours in Europe, as well as animals from more exotic places on our planet. It's a place where you can spend a whole day enjoying the beauty and amazing opportunities the zoo offers.