When you want to speak about the largest zoo in the world, you need to determine the term “large” as it may refer to the size of its land area as well as to the number of different species that can be found there.
If the size it covers is taken into account then the Red McCombs Wildlife in Texas is definitely the largest one, as its size is 12,000.
However, this zoo only has 20 different animal species and can be considered a wildlife preserve rather than a zoo.
So, we are offering you the list of the zoos which are the largest in the world according to both of these features.
Contents
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The first one on our list is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium located in Columbus, Ohio.
There you can find over 5,000 animals, that is 700 species which are divided into geographic regions of the world, making it even more attractive.
So as to make it even larger, the staff expanded the zoo, while the 120 acres expansion will happen in the future so that a polar environment and an African savanna can be included.
Moscow Zoo
The Moscow Zoo belongs to one of the oldest as well as the largest, being that it was opened in 1864.
The Moscow Zoo is the oldest zoo in Europe which boasts over 6000 animals representing 927 species.
When it comes to its land size, its area is about 53 acres (21.5 ha), thus making it Russia’s largest zoo.
San Diego Zoo
If you want to visit the most popular zoo in the world, then you should go to the San Diego Zoo.
This zoo has over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species and covers an area of 100 acres (40 ha).
Being that it is located near the City of San Diego which boasts a sunny maritime climate, it is considered an ideal home for many animals.
Also, due to a good climate, the most of exhibits of the San Diego Zoo are in the open air.
The San Diego Zoo is well known for its activities when conservation and preservation of endangered species are in question, so it breeds these species in captivity and releases them into their native habitats when they are ready to go.
Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo, as its name suggests is located in Toronto.
Its land covers 710 acres (287 ha), making it the largest zoo in Canada.
There you can find over 16,000 animals representing over 491 species, which are divided into seven geographic regions: Indo-Malaya, Africa, Americas, Tundra Trek, Australasia, Eurasia, and the Canadian Domain.
Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo also belongs to a group of the oldest zoos in the world as it was opened in 1899.
It is located in New York City and it is definitely considered the biggest metropolitan zoo in the United States.
Its land covers around 265 acres (107 ha) and this place is home to more than 4,000 animals of 650 species.
Once there, you will notice that the exhibits such as World of Birds and World of Reptiles are arranged by taxonomy.
On the other hand, African Plains and Wild Asia exhibits are arranged geographically.
Beijing Zoo
The Beijing Zoo was opened in 1906.
It is worth mentioning that it has the largest animal collections in China, as it boasts 14,500 animals which include over 450 species of land animals and over 500 species of marine animals.
The zoo area covers 219 acres (89 ha).
What makes it well known and the most popular attraction is its collection of rare animals – the Giant Pandas.
Berlin Zoological Garden
The Berlin Zoological Garden was opened in 1844, and it is the oldest zoo in Germany.
Its size is 84 acres (34 ha), located in Berlin’s Tiergarten.
The zoo has 1,500 different species and 17,000 animals.
Some of the greatest attractions in this zoo were Bao Bao the Giant Panda and Knut the polar bear.
Henry Doorly Zoo
Nebraska’s attraction, the Henry Doorly Zoo located in Omaha.
This place has about 17,000 animals of 962 species and covers 130 acres (53 ha) of land area.
Being that it belongs to the largest in terms of both size and number of animals, it is put on our list as the largest zoo in the world.
Some of its additional features are the largest cat complex in North America, as well as the world’s largest indoor swamp, indoor desert, and glazed geodesic dome.