The Moscow Zoo opened on January 31, 1864, which makes it the oldest zoo in Russia and one of the oldest zoos in the world still operating. From a modest menagerie founded by university professors, it has grown into one of the largest zoos in Europe: 21.5 hectares in the middle of the Russian capital, home to more than 10,500 animals representing nearly 1,300 species.
The zoo was founded by professor-biologists K.F. Rulje, S.A. Usov and A.P. Bogdanov of Moscow State University. It remained a scientific society’s project until the upheavals of the revolution: the zoo was nationalized in 1919, and in 1922 ownership passed to the Government of Moscow, which has run it ever since.
Key Stats
| Opened | January 31, 1864 |
| Location | Moscow, Russia |
| Animals / species | 10,531 animals of 1,267 species (2019) |
| Area | 21.5 hectares (about 53 acres) |
The Green Platform and a Century of Firsts
One of the zoo’s most beloved chapters began in 1933, when the naturalist and future writer Vera Chaplina created the ‘green platform’ — a special enclosure where orphaned and rejected young animals of different species were raised together and taught to live peacefully side by side. The experiment fascinated the public and remained one of the Moscow Zoo’s signature attractions for many years.
The zoo has long been the professional centre of gravity for Russian zoos. It has chaired the country’s zoo community since the Soviet period, runs its own educational institute and research centre, and since 2017 has operated a national training academy for zoo staff, veterinarians and teachers. It is a member of the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EARAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).
Pandas, a Museum and the Modern Zoo
The zoo’s collection today spans everything from brown bears to giant pandas, which arrived from China in 2019 as part of a long-term research partnership. There is even a museum of the zoo’s own history, housed in a 19th-century building on the grounds and open to the public since 2015, with a collection that includes more than 10,000 zoo emblems from around the world alongside works by Russia’s great animal artists.
FAQ
Is the Moscow Zoo the oldest zoo in Russia?
Yes. It opened on January 31, 1864 — a year before the Leningrad Zoo in St. Petersburg — and ranks 15th among the world’s oldest operating zoos.
How many animals does the Moscow Zoo have?
As of 2019 the zoo housed 10,531 animals of 1,267 species, making it one of the largest zoo collections in Europe.
Does the Moscow Zoo have pandas?
Yes — giant pandas arrived from China in 2019 as part of a 15-year joint conservation and research programme.
Photo: A.Savin via Wikimedia Commons (FAL)