Wrocław Zoo is the oldest zoo in Poland — and, by number of animals and species, also its largest. It first opened on July 10, 1865, as the Breslau Zoological Garden, when the city was part of Prussia, with a grand ceremony complete with fireworks and a military orchestra. Today it covers 33 hectares near downtown Wrocław and is home to about 10,500 animals of roughly 1,132 species, placing it third in the world among zoos by species count and firmly among the oldest zoos in the world still operating.
Opening day visitors in 1865 saw 452 animals of 50 species — wolves, monkeys, bears and big cats — and some 67,000 people came in the first year alone. The zoo’s early stars arrived steadily: Theodor, the first elephant, came from London Zoo in 1873, and the gorilla Pussy arrived from Liverpool in 1897 — a statue of her still stands in the zoo today. Breeding successes included the world’s first Malayan tapir born in captivity and, between the wars, a hippopotamus named Anton.
Key Stats
| Opened | July 10, 1865 (reopened 1927 and 1948) |
| Location | Wrocław, Poland |
| Animals / species | About 10,500 animals of 1,132 species |
| Area | 33 hectares (about 82 acres) |
| Annual visitors | About 2 million |
Destroyed Twice, Rebuilt Twice
The zoo’s survival is remarkable in itself. After World War I an economic crisis forced it to close, and its animals were dispersed to zoos in Berlin, Leipzig and Cologne while the grounds became a park; it reopened in 1927. World War II brought outright destruction, and the zoo — by then in a city transferred to Poland — was rebuilt and reopened in 1948. Among its wartime losses was Muschi, the only Amazonian manatee in Europe, which died in the winter of 1945.
The Africarium: An Ocean for Africa
The boldest investment in the zoo’s modern history opened in 2014: the Africarium, an oceanarium dedicated exclusively to the fauna of Africa — the only one of its kind in the world. Inside are sandbar sharks, rays, Nile crocodiles, hippopotamuses, manatees and African birds from mousebirds to hamerkops. The Africarium transformed attendance, making Wrocław the most-visited zoo in Poland with around 2 million visitors a year.
Beyond the Africarium, the zoo’s attractions include the Madagascar Pavilion, the Odrarium, a terrarium and a children’s zoo, and its collection features rarities such as okapi, bear cuscus, Philippine mouse-deer and L’Hoest’s monkeys. The zoo belongs to both EAZA and WAZA and takes part in numerous endangered-species programmes.
FAQ
Is Wrocław Zoo the oldest zoo in Poland?
Yes. It opened in 1865 as the Breslau Zoological Garden, when the city belonged to Prussia, and after wartime destruction it reopened under Polish administration in 1948. It ranks 18th among the world’s oldest operating zoos.
What is the Africarium?
An oceanarium opened in 2014 that is devoted entirely to African aquatic life — sharks, rays, hippos, manatees and Nile crocodiles — the only facility of its kind in the world.
How big is Wrocław Zoo?
The zoo covers 33 hectares near the city centre and houses about 10,500 animals of 1,132 species — the third-highest species count of any zoo in the world.
Photo: Fallaner via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)