Tashkent - Zoo

The Zoo in Tashkent is one of the most popular places for outings with children in the capital of Uzbekistan. The Zoo in Tashkent was founded in 1924 on the territory of the former menagerie of 3 hectares on the country house of one of the authorities. Despite the small territory, the park developed and improved, and by 1940 its collection of animals numbered about 200 species. Half a century later, in 1994, the construction of a new zoo was started, the territory of which was located next to the Botanical Garden. In 1997, the zoo moved to a new location and opened its renewed areas to the public.

Today, the area of Tashkent Zoo is 21.5 hectares and houses 373 species of animals. There are 12 animal exhibits and a contact zoo for visitors. The new grounds have large enclosures for the animals, including large winter enclosures. There are artificial lakes and fountains, waterfalls and a water channel, a large pond with a beautiful bridge, and numerous resting places and animal sculptures in a pleasant green area.

Tashkent Zoological Park has more than 10 exhibitions of animals – “Aquarium”, “Terrarium”, “Primates”, “Parrots”, “Birds”, “Birds of Prey”, “Waterfowl”, “Ungulates”, “Invertebrates”, “Small Mammals”, “Vivarium”, “Animal Breeding Station”, “Contact Zoo”, “Butterfly House”. Near the entrance is the so-called children’s corner, where small birds and animals are kept.

One of the buildings “Climatron” unites 4 exhibitions where there is a comfortable climate for animals – the aquarium, the terrarium, the primates and the section with exotic birds. The zoo’s aquarium contains about 100 cubic metres of seawater and about 200 cubic metres of freshwater. Both freshwater and saltwater creatures swim in it, including elephant fish, tiger perch, black pacu and the Nyasa kingfish. The total number of waterbird species is about 165 species. There is also plenty to admire among the more than 50 species of terrarium inhabitants, including a variety of snakes, turtles, geckos, eulypharas, iguanas, agamas, skinks and crocodiles.

The primate species at the zoo are represented by macaques and gibbons, mandrills and lapwings, and the cat lemur. While visitors enjoy watching them, there is also the reverse reaction – they also enjoy watching the visitors. Exotic birds include a large number of parrots in a variety of colours and species.

The predators are among the most popular zoo inhabitants. The Tashkent Zoological Park is home to various species of bears, wolves, jackals, foxes, tigers and lions. Among the birds living there are more than 30 different species – birds of prey such as buzzards, vultures, griffon vultures, condors, saker falcons, hawks, eagles, golden eagles, as well as the cute ostriches, peacocks and emus. Small mammals are a separate exhibit. These include hedgehogs, nutria, hamsters, marmots, maras, squirrels, rabbits, porcupines, mice, guinea pigs, badgers and a small fat lory.

The ungulate group is also very cute and popular with visitors – amazing kangaroos, big elephants, fallow deer and llamas, yaks and deer, rams and goats, hippos and camels and a long, humble giraffe.

The waterfowl enclosures with swans, geese, herons, pelicans, quacks and other birds are fenced in and shaded by large trees. The butterfly house is one of the most visited places in the zoo. Large and small inhabitants with their beautiful wings fly here among the greenery, the waterfalls and the visitors. There is also a small pond with colourful fish in the butterfly house.

On the territory of the zoo there are a lot of different additional services and entertainment for children and adults:

• Café and various outlets selling drinks, ice cream and other treats
• Shop with toys and souvenirs
• Children’s playgrounds
• A large entertainment zone and attractions for children near the
  pond (rental of electric cars, trampolines, merry-go-round)
• Rental of catamarans
• Shooting range
• Pony, horse and camel rides
• Carriage ride
• Ride on a steam train through the zoo
• Excursions
• Photo shoots with animals
• Pram rental