Zoos In Russia: 10 Spots Where Wildlife Meets Wonder

An image of a Capra cylindricornis (East Caucasian tur) standing in Yaroslavl Zoo.

Russia, the largest country in the world, is not only a cultural treasure house and a treasure of landscapes. It is also home to some of the world’s best zoological parks. From Moscow Zoo to the sprawling Novosibirsk Zoo, zoos in Russia guarantee a vivid experience of different animal species worldwide. Whether you are a nature enthusiast or an inquisitive traveller, a trip to a zoo is an educational and thrilling experience. Visit one of these for a lively time during your trip to Russia.

Top 10 Zoos In Russia

Here are the 10 best zoos in Russia that you must visit, being some of the largest and most ecologically focused zoological parks:

1. Moscow Zoo

An image of Moscow Zoo's 150th anniversary celebration with the mayor present, highlighting a zoo in Russia.

Photo: Dmitry Makeev / Wikimedia Commons

Moscow Zoo is Russia’s most popular zoo, established in 1864 and one of the most visited ones. It’s a world-renowned zoo in Russia with over 6,000 animals in two big areas divided by a bridge. There’s a chance for visitors to walk through African elephants, lions, penguins, and reptiles. As one of Russia’s leading zoos, it offers guided tours and children’s education programs. With a focus on heritage and conservation, it’s the ideal destination for families, school groups, and tourists. It blends wildlife and history in perfect harmony.

Location: Moscow
Timing: 9 AM – 6 PM

2. Novosibirsk Zoo

An image of a liger resting in an enclosure at a popular zoo in Russia.

Photo: Алексей Шилин / Wikimedia Commons

Novosibirsk Zoo is a giant wildlife sanctuary and a top zoo in Russia. It is home to more than 11,000 animals and is famous for rare animals and conservation efforts. It is also a significant zoo for Siberian animals such as snow leopards and lynxes. It covers more than 60 hectares, providing a mix of nature and science. This zoo in Russia is a hit among researchers, tourists, and families. With immaculately kept enclosures, it’s an educational paradise for people of all ages.

Location: Novosibirsk
Timing: 9 AM – 9 PM

3. Leningrad Zoo

An image of a yellow tang swimming in a tank at a vibrant zoo in Russia.

Photo: Горбунова М.С. / Wikimedia Commons

Leningrad Zoo, located in St. Petersburg, is one of the oldest zoos in Russia and holds historical significance. Although smaller than others, this famous zoo features unique northern animals such as Arctic foxes, polar bears, and seals. Its city centre location makes it accessible and convenient for short visits. It’s a major zoo as far as cultural and scientific heritage is concerned. The zoo survived the Siege of Leningrad and still operates with pride. Families will likely consider it a child-friendly zoo in Russia because of its interactive exhibits.

Location: St. Petersburg
Timing: 10 AM – 5 PM

4. Rostov On Don Zoo

An image of a Sika deer resting inside an enclosure at Rostov-on-Don Zoo, Russia.

Photo: Alexxx1979 / Wikimedia Commons

Rostov On Don Zoo is one of the largest and oldest public zoos. Covering over 98 hectares, it houses over 5,000 animals, featuring rare birds, primates, and large mammals. It’s a world-famous zoo, famed for its open-space enclosures and large-scale breeding programs. Tourists are inclined to place it high among their list of key zoos in Russia for enjoyment and education. As a treasure of the region, the zoo has serene walking trails and interactive shows. Kids enjoy the petting areas and the feeding sessions.

Location: Zoologicheskaya, Rostov-on-Don
Timing: 9 AM – 7 PM

5. Yekaterinburg Zoo

An image of an aardvark inside an enclosure at Yekaterinburg Zoo in Russia.

Photo: Vyacheslav Bukharov / Wikimedia Commons

Yekaterinburg Zoo is a compact yet enriching place in Russia. It is located in the city centre. Despite its size, it hosts over 400 species and is famous for rare reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Ideal for a short trip, it’s a great and important zoo in Russia for city visitors. This zoo also excels in conservation and environmental education. With themed exhibits and regular animal shows, it’s a must-visit for tourists and locals. As one of the most engaging and famous zoos, it provides learning experiences for children.

Location: Yekaterinburg
Timing: 10 AM – 6 PM

6. Kazan Zoological And Botanical Garden

An image of botanical views and wildlife in Kazan’s zoo-garden in Russia

Photo: RG72 / Wikimedia Commons

Kazan Zoological and Botanical Garden is a unique hybrid zoo in Russia that consists of fauna and flora. It’s a major zoo in Russia used for plant conservation and biodiversity. It contains over 1,000 animals and many exotic plants. As one of the most visited zoos, it welcomes tourists looking for wildlife and botanical experiences. This tranquil zoo features a tranquil walking layout ideal for family outings. It is engaged in conservation education workshops, making it a considerably important zoo.

Location: Kazan
Timing: 9 AM – 8 PM

7. Kaliningrad Zoo

An image of a detailed animal sculpture at Kaliningrad Zoo on a sunny day.

Photo: Александр Сигачёв / Wikimedia Commons

Kaliningrad Zoo is one of Russia’s historic and well-preserved Zoos, established in 1896. It’s a very old renowned zoo with over 2,000 animals from 300 species. Its unique blend of old and new architectural design is a major attraction. It focuses on environmental education, making it the best Zoo in Russia for learning and leisure. The peacocks, lynxes, and polar bears are especially popular among kids. Visitors love the serene park-like environment, making it a serene attraction.

Location: Kaliningrad
Timing: 9 AM – 6 PM

8. Udmurtia Zoo (Izhevsk Zoo)

An image of the entrance area of Izhevsk Zoo with visitors exploring the surroundings.

Photo: Vyacheslav Bukharov / Wikimedia Commons

Udmurtia Zoo, or Izhevsk Zoo, is a modern zoo in Russia that focuses on animal welfare and large enclosures. It’s a major zoo due to its environmental education and conservation. You can have an encounter with Siberian tigers, wolves, and camels. Families visit for its interactive spaces and well-landscaped setting. This zoo promotes a hands-on learning experience, especially through its “Zoo School” program. Visitors appreciate its cleanliness and animal welfare with its popularity growing continously.

Location: Izhevsk
Timing: 10 AM – 7 PM

9. Perm Zoo

An image of the main gate at Perm Zoo in Russia with signage and people walking around.

Photo: A.Savin / Wikimedia Commons

Perm Zoo is one of the most respected zoos, situated in the Ural Mountains area. It offers a diverse view of wildlife with over 3,000 animals. It’s a famous zoo that houses rare animals like snow leopards, reindeer, and brown bears. With conservation efforts underway, it’s famous as a major zoo in Russia and the East. This peaceful zoo is ideal for a relaxing family visit, surrounded by nature. The zoo also hosts art and photo exhibitions, making it a cultural hub. As a major zoo, it collaborates with international efforts for the breeding of endangered animals.

Location: Perm
Timing: 9 AM – 6 PM

10. Chelyabinsk Zoo

Visitors exploring the winter-themed Chelyabinsk Zoo in Russia.

Photo: Алексей Петров / Wikimedia Commons

Chelyabinsk Zoo is a clean, accessible Zoo in Russia known for its modern layout and rare animal breeds. As a famous zoo, it showcases over 500 species, including Amur leopards and steppe foxes. Its interactive sessions and winter-themed zones make it an important zoo in Russia in the Ural region. This family-friendly zoo in Russia features an exotic birdhouse and petting areas ideal for kids. This zoo is popular for its winter photography and seasonal light shows. It plays a key role in educational activities for school groups.

Location: Chelyabinsk
Timing: 9 AM – 6:30 PM

Zoos in Russia offer a unique blend of wildlife conservation, education and scenic beauty across vast and diverse landscapes. From urban zoological parks in Moscow to remote sanctuaries in Siberia, these zoos provide enriching experiences. Nature lovers and families find these an amazing location for a perfect day out. With a focus on rare and native species, these zoos entertain and raise awareness about wildlife protection. Plan your trip with TripXL to have these zoos in your Russian travel itinerary.

Cover Photo: Schlurcher / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

The Moscow Zoo, established in 1864, is Russia's oldest and most famous.
Yes, many zoos, like Izhevsk and Rostov-on-Don, offer kids educational programs and petting areas.
Spring and summer are ideal, but winter-themed setups at famous zoos like Chelyabinsk, also attract tourists.
Yes, several important zoos, such as Leningrad Zoo and Perm Zoo, work with global organisations for wildlife conservation.
Most major zoos offer diverse food courts, including vegetarian-friendly menus.

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