Introduction
What is Zoopark Baku?
Zoopark Baku is a state zoological park in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. It was established in 1928, making it the country's oldest zoo. It is owned and managed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan and the Mayoralty of Baku City. The total area of the zoo is 4.25 hectares (10.5 acres).
Why visit Zoopark Baku?
Zoopark Baku is a great place to visit for several reasons. First of all, it is a wonderful opportunity to see and learn about various animals from different regions of the world, such as Africa, Asia, Europe, and America. You can see mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish in their natural habitats or in specially designed enclosures. You can also interact with some of the animals, such as feeding them or taking pictures with them. Second, Zoopark Baku is a valuable source of conservation and education. The zoo participates in several breeding programs and research projects to protect and preserve endangered species. It also organizes various events and activities to raise awareness and educate the public about wildlife and environmental issues. Third, Zoopark Baku is a fun and affordable destination for families and groups. The zoo offers a variety of facilities and services to make your visit comfortable and enjoyable, such as playgrounds, cafes, souvenir shops, guided tours, and discounts.
History of Zoopark Baku
The origins of the zoo
The history of Zoopark Baku dates back to 1928, when it was founded as a small park named after Anatoly Lunacharsky (which has now been renamed after Nizami Ganjavi). In 1942, a new zoo was established in the same location as the evacuated Rostov Zoo. The opening ceremony was held after the Great Patriotic War.
The relocation and reconstruction of the zoo
Until 1958, the zoo was located near a railway station in a small square. Then, it was relocated to a town called Bayil on the outskirts of Baku, where it stayed until the mid-1970s when a landslide killed a lion and a bear. As a result, the zoo was temporarily moved to Bakikhanov (formerly Razin), where it remained until 1985. During this period, a group of experts decided that Narimanov Raion in Baku was the appropriate location for the zoo. Construction of the new zoo began near a railway station in Narimanov Raion and was completed in 1985. The new zoo was officially opened on 5 November 1985.
The current state and future plans of the zoo
Today, Zoopark Baku is home to more than 1200 animals of 168 species, including some rare and endangered ones. The zoo is divided into several sections, such as the aquarium, the birdhouse, the reptile house, the monkey house, the lion house, the bear house, and the open-air enclosures. The zoo also has a veterinary clinic, a quarantine station, a laboratory, and a museum.
However, Zoopark Baku also faces some challenges and criticisms, such as the lack of space, the poor conditions of some animals, the outdated facilities, and the low standards of animal welfare. The zoo has been planning to relocate to a new and larger site for several years, but the project has been delayed due to various reasons. The new zoo is expected to cover 60 hectares (150 acres) and to have modern equipment and infrastructure.
Animals of Zoopark Baku
The main categories of animals
Zoopark Baku has a diverse collection of animals from different regions of the world. The main categories of animals are mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish. Here is a table that shows some examples of each category:
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Fish
Camel
Ostrich
Crocodile
Shark
Giraffe
Flamingo
Turtle
Piranha
Zebra
Parrot
Lizard
Goldfish
Kangaroo
Penguin
Snake
Catfish
Hippopotamus
Eagle
Chameleon
Koi carp
[assistant](#message) The most popular and rare animals
Zoopark Baku also has some animals that are very popular or rare among visitors. Here are some examples of these animals:
Golden jackal
The golden jackal is a medium-sized canine that lives in Eurasia and Africa. It is similar to a wolf but smaller and more slender. It has a golden-yellow coat with black markings on the back and tail. It feeds on rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, fruits, and carrion. It is also known for its loud howling at dawn and dusk.
White stork
The white stork is a large wading bird that has a white body with black wings and a long red bill and legs. It is widely distributed in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It migrates to warmer regions in winter. It nests on rooftops, chimneys, trees, or poles. It feeds on frogs, fish, insects, worms, and small mammals. It is also associated with folklore and legends about bringing babies.
African lion
The African lion is a big cat that lives in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the second-largest living cat after the tiger. It has a tawny coat with a darker mane for males. It lives in groups called prides that consist of one or more males and several females and cubs. It hunts mainly at night or dawn. It feeds on antelopes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, and other large animals.
Bengal tiger
The Bengal tiger is a subspecies of tiger that lives in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. It is the most numerous and widespread of all tiger subspecies. It has a yellow-orange coat with black stripes and a white belly. It is an apex predator that can prey on deer, wild boar, buffalo, elephant calves, and even crocodiles. It is also an endangered species due to habitat loss and poaching.
Brown bear
The brown bear is a large bear that lives in Eurasia and North America. It has a brown fur that can vary from light to dark shades. It has a hump on its in Narimanov Raion and was completed in 1985. The new zoo was officially opened on 5 November 1985.
The current state and future plans of the zoo
Today, Zoopark Baku is home to more than 1200 animals of 168 species, including some rare and endangered ones. The zoo is divided into several sections, such as the aquarium, the birdhouse, the reptile house, the monkey house, the lion house, the bear house, and the open-air enclosures. The zoo also has a veterinary clinic, a quarantine station, a laboratory, and a museum.
However, Zoopark Baku also faces some challenges and criticisms, such as the lack of space, the poor conditions of some animals, the outdated facilities, and the low standards of animal welfare. The zoo has been planning to relocate to a new and larger site for several years, but the project has been delayed due to various reasons. The new zoo is expected to cover 60 hectares (150 acres) and to have modern equipment and infrastructure.
Animals of Zoopark Baku
The main categories of animals
Zoopark Baku has a diverse collection of animals from different regions of the world. The main categories of animals are mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish. Here is a table that shows some examples of each category:
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Fish
Camel
Ostrich
Crocodile
Shark
Giraffe
Flamingo
Turtle
Piranha
Zebra
Parrot
Lizard
Goldfish
Kangaroo
Penguin
Snake
Catfish
Hippopotamus
Eagle
Chameleon
Koi carp
[assistant](#message) The most popular and rare animals
Zoopark Baku also has some animals that are very popular or rare among visitors. Here are some examples of these animals:
Golden jackal
The golden jackal is a medium-sized canine that lives in Eurasia and Africa. It is similar to a wolf but smaller and more slender. It has a golden-yellow coat with black markings on the back and tail. It feeds on rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, fruits, and carrion. It is also known for its loud howling at dawn and dusk.
White stork
The white stork is a large wading bird that has a white body with black wings and a long red bill and legs. It is widely distributed in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It migrates to warmer regions in winter. It nests on rooftops, chimneys, trees, or poles. It feeds on frogs, fish, insects, worms, and small mammals. It is also associated with folklore and legends about bringing babies.
African lion
The African lion is a big cat that lives in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the second-largest living cat after the tiger. It has a tawny coat with a darker mane for males. It lives in groups called prides that consist of one or more males and several females and cubs. It hunts mainly at night or dawn. It feeds on antelopes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, and other large animals.
Bengal tiger
The Bengal tiger is a subspecies of tiger that lives in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. It is the most numerous and widespread of all tiger subspecies. It has a yellow-orange coat with black stripes and a white belly. It is an apex predator that can prey on deer, wild boar, buffalo, elephant calves, and even crocodiles. It is also an endangered species due to habitat loss and poaching.
Brown bear
The brown bear is a large bear that lives in Eurasia and North America. It has a brown fur that can vary from light to dark shades. It has a hump on its. shoulders and a large head. It can weigh up to 600 kg (1320 lb). It is omnivorous and eats plants, berries, nuts, honey, insects, fish, and meat. It can also hibernate in winter in a den.
How to visit Zoopark Baku
Location and opening hours
Zoopark Baku is located in Narimanov Raion, near the Narimanov metro station. The address is 40 A. Abbaszade Street, Baku, Azerbaijan. The zoo is open every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The last admission is at 5:30 pm.
Admission fees and discounts
The admission fee for Zoopark Baku is 2 AZN (1.18 USD) for adults and 1 AZN (0.59 USD) for children under 12 years old. Children under 3 years old are free of charge. The zoo also offers discounts for groups of 10 or more people, students, pensioners, veterans, and disabled people.
Facilities and services
Zoopark Baku has various facilities and services to make your visit comfortable and enjoyable. Some of them are:
Playgrounds for children
Cafes and snack bars
Souvenir shops
Guided tours (by request)
Animal feeding (by schedule)
Animal photography (by permission)
Free parking
First aid station
Lost and found office
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
Zoopark Baku is a state zoological park that was established in 1928. It is the oldest zoo in Azerbaijan and one of the main attractions in Baku. It houses more than 1200 animals of 168 species, including some rare and endangered ones. It also participates in conservation and education programs to protect and preserve wildlife. It offers a variety of facilities and services to make your visit fun and affordable.
Call to action
If you are interested in visiting Zoopark Baku, you can find more information on their official website or their Facebook page . You can also contact them by phone at +994 12 465-95-57 or by email at info@zooparkbaku.com. Don't miss this chance to see and learn about amazing animals from around the world!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best times to visit Zoopark Baku?
The best times to visit Zoopark Baku are in spring and autumn, when the weather is mild and pleasant. You can also avoid the crowds and enjoy the animals more during weekdays or early mornings.
How long does it take to see the whole zoo?
It depends on your pace and interest, but it usually takes about 2 to 3 hours to see the whole zoo. You can also spend more time if you want to interact with some of the animals or join the guided tours.
Can I bring my own food and drinks to the zoo?
You can bring your own food and drinks to the zoo, but you have to follow some rules. You cannot feed any of the animals with your food or drinks. You cannot litter or leave any waste in the zoo. You cannot bring any alcoholic beverages or glass containers to the zoo.
Can I bring my pet to the zoo?
No, you cannot bring your pet to the zoo. Pets are not allowed in the zoo for safety and hygiene reasons. You have to leave your pet at home or in a suitable place before visiting the zoo.
Can I volunteer or work at the zoo?
Yes, you can volunteer or work at the zoo if you meet certain requirements. You have to be at least 18 years old, have a passion for animals and nature, have some relevant skills or experience, and be able to commit for a certain period of time. You can apply online or contact the zoo for more details.
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