Berlin Zoo
With around 3 million visitors per year, the Berlin Zoological Garden is the most popular zoo in Europe. It also houses the world’s biggest animal collection, with over 17,000 animals from 1,554 species. Of particular note is the bird house, which is generally considered the world’s best. It features 329 different species of bird, many of which are exceedingly rare. The zoo made international headlines in 2007 when Knut the polar bear survived despite being rejected by his mother after birth.
Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo opened in 1899 on land donated from neighboring Fordham University. Today it covers 265 acres straddling the Bronx River. It is the largest urban zoo in the United States. One of its most notable features is Jungle World, an indoor South Asian jungle habitat with nearly 800 animal residents. All told, the Bronx Zoo has approximately 4,000 animals representing 650 different species.
Columbus Zoo
The Columbus Zoo is considered one of the world’s best zoos, largely thanks to the efforts of its famous former director, Jack Hanna. It is currently in the midst of a renovation and expansion effort that will bring it up 250 acres, as well as add several new exhibits. The zoo is home to nearly 6,000 animals and 750 different species. The Asia Quest exhibit has several different habitats and a wide array of plants and animals from the region. Even though it’s a little out of the way, the zoo receives more than a million visitors each year.
San Diego Zoo
Home to more than 4,000 animals and 800 species, the San Diego Zoo is at the forefront of conservation research. It was founded in 1921 in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Nearly all the exhibits are open-air, providing a more comfortable and natural experience for the animals. The Skyfari aerial tram offers spectacular views of the zoo. The nearby Safari Park offers a chance to see wild animals in even more open environments, as well as beautiful botanical gardens.
Singapore Zoo
Even though it ‘only’ has 315 species on display, the Singapore Zoo is one of the world’s best. It opened in 1973 and was a pioneer of the concept of the open zoo. The animals’ enclosures aren’t fenced in, but rather separated by hidden moats or glass walls. Most of the animals are from warm regions, but the Singapore Zoo is also home to the first polar bear born in the tropics. It attracts around 1.6 million visitors each year.
Tiergarten Schönbrunn
The Tiergarten Schönbrunn, located in Vienna, Austria on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace, is the world’s oldest zoo. It was started in 1752 and opened to the public in 1779. Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II chartered expeditions to Africa and the Americas in order to search for specimens for the zoo. It was nearly destroyed during World War II, but survived. Today it is known for its conservation efforts and is home to some of Europe’s only giant pandas. Its layout and preserved architecture also provide a glimpse into Vienna’s imperial past. Around 500 species call this zoo home.
