Modern cultural and public areas of the city -
Urban life, nature and family holidays -
The Almaty Zoo is one of the most iconic places in Almaty, where citizens have been coming for almost a century, and travelers make a mandatory visit to see the natural world in the heart of a large metropolis. Located at the foot of Kok-Tobe Mountain and the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains, next to the green alleys of the Central Park, it has become a point of attraction for those who want to experience the atmosphere of the southern city and get acquainted with the amazing fauna of different continents.
Founded in the middle of the 20th century, the zoo developed along with the city and gradually turned into a vast natural space where predators, birds, ungulates, rare primates, reptiles and inhabitants of aquatic ecosystems coexist in the open air.
Almaty city Zoo is not just a place for entertainment, but a real center for the conservation of biodiversity, scientific work and love for animals. For tourists visiting the southern capital of Kazakhstan, the zoo becomes a mandatory item of the program, offering a trip across continents without leaving the city.
There is always a special atmosphere of tranquility and discovery here – like a small trip around the world, made in just one day.
The history of creation: from the first decisions to the legends
The path of the Almaty Zoo began in 1935, when the state decision was made to create the first zoological park of the republic. The place was chosen on the eastern edge of the current Park of Culture and Recreation, where the natural landscape gently descended to the Kazachka River. The main initiator and organizer of the creation of the zoo was the famous hunter and researcher of Semirechye Murzakhan Tolebaev. He personally engaged in the selection of animals, hunted saigas, wild goats, jeyran, communicated with nature reserves, negotiated the supply of new species.
In October 1937, the first large animals from Moscow and Leningrad arrived in Alma Ata - bears, a lion, rare ungulates, later a tiger, crocodiles and exotic snakes.
The opening took place on November 7, 1937, and admission was free for the first two days. The zoo immediately became the center of attention of residents and the scientific community of the country.
There are also unusual stories associated with this place. The most famous is about the elephant Batyr, who was born in the Almaty Zoo. He became famous for being able to imitate human speech and repeat sounds, including his own name. Later he was transported to Karaganda, where he became a real star.
Another unique page is the floating exhibition of animals on the Irtysh River in the 1960s. Monkeys, parrots, predators and reptiles traveled on a steamer named Rosa Luxemburg – a mobile zoo that visited Ust-Kamenogorsk, Omsk, Tobolsk and Semey.
In 1984, the host of the legendary program "In the World of Animals" Vasily Peskov visited here and dedicated an entire issue to the Almaty Zoo.
In recent years, the zoo has been hosting nighttime programs. For the first time in 2019, the "Mysterious Night": Visitors listened to the lion’s growl at night and watched the animals as they behaved without the fuss of the day.
Inhabitants: from predators to the depths of the sea
The modern zoo is divided into seven large sections: predatory mammals, ungulates, primates, birds of prey, exotic birds, an exotarium and an aquarium.
Two pavilions are particularly popular with guests – the marine aquarium and the terrarium. The aquarium features fish and marine life from all over the world: from the Central Asian snakehead to rare Japanese species. The terrarium is home to dozens of species of turtles, pythons, cobras, chameleons, and water dragons.
Swans, geese, ducks and large cranes can be found on the ponds.
Emus and nandus walk in spacious enclosures.
Elephants, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, plains tapir, zebras and wildebeest, nyala, oryx, kudu are represented among the ungulates.
Deer form a separate world: Bukhara and maral, spotted deer, fallow deer, roe deer.
Mountain species include argali, Siberian ibex, hornbills, mouflons and urials.
Predators are one of the most impressive collections: lions, white lions, leopards, panthers, jaguars, cougars, lynxes.
The Tien Shan brown bear, a rare and powerful representative of the local fauna, is a special pride.
Primates are the favorites of the public: monkeys, macaques, baboons, hamadryads, chimpanzees and silver gibbons.
Today, the zoo contains more than 375 species of animals, and their number is constantly being updated. Over the years, exotic animals from South Africa, Europe and Asia, including white lions and snow leopards, have been brought here.
Petting Zoo
For younger guests, there is a cozy petting zoo in the park. Here you can get acquainted with Cameroonian goats, dwarf sheep, mini piggies, ducklings, chickens and even hedgehogs. Children can pet animals, learn about their lifestyle, and spend time as carefully and safely as possible under the supervision of staff.
The contact enclosures are located near the main entrance, in an area with convenient access for families with children.
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How to get there and visit -
The Almaty Zoo is located in the eastern part of Almaty at 166 Yesenberlin Street, Medeu district, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°15'49"N 76°58'34"E
It is easy to get to the zoo in several ways. Please note that the zoo has two entrances: the main one is located from the Central Park at 166 Yesenberlin Street, and an additional, second entrance is located at 66 Ormanov Street.
If you are traveling by car, the best route is to drive up to the Central Park along Gogol Street, where convenient parking will be waiting for you at the end. Next, a pleasant short walk through the park will take you directly to the ticket offices.
For those who use public transport, we recommend going to the stops near the Central Park, where there are many buses and trolleybuses. An alternative option is to take buses No. 60, 118 or trolleybuses No. 1, 12, 25 directly to the second entrance.
Opening hours: in winter, the zoo is open from 10:00 to 18:00; in summer, from 9:00 to 19:00.
The ticket offices close an hour before the end of business.
Contacts: +7 727 310 19 37
Almaty Zoo official website
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Territory and development
Today, the zoo's area is about 21 hectares. Initially, its territory was larger, reaching 46 hectares, then 32 hectares, but over the years part of the land was lost. Nevertheless, the zoo continues to develop, updating enclosures and creating more natural landscape areas.
Over the years, the collection ranged from 330 to more than 500 species of animals. Now you can see hundreds of representatives of the world's fauna here, including those listed in the Red Books of Kazakhstan and international organizations.
Atmosphere and meaning
Zoos have always attracted people – their history goes back about five thousand years, and they still remain one of the most visited tourist sites in the world. Kazakhstan has only three large zoos, but it is the Almaty Zoo that stands out for its vibrant energy, rich collection and unusual direction: it is the only zoo in the world that is purposefully engaged in the conservation and breeding of saiga antelopes, steppe antelopes listed in the Red Book.
Walking along its shady paths, it's easy to forget about the hustle and bustle of the city: white swans swim in silence by the ponds, peacocks call to each other somewhere in the distance, predators lazily watch from hiding places, and joyful sounds of parrots and monkeys greet children near the aviaries.
The legend of the zoo
There has long been a quiet legend among the staff. It is said that in the late evening, when the park is already immersed in semi–darkness, you can hear a barely discernible sound - as if nature itself is responding with an echo. This, according to the old-timers, is the spirit of the first keeper Tolebaev, who loved animals so much that he continues to protect the zoo invisibly.
According to legend, if you walk along the pond in the early morning, when the peacocks are just starting to scream, and make a good wish, it will surely begin to come true – as if nature itself hears your request.
The Almaty Zoo is a living history of Almaty, a place where nature and culture meet. It offers a unique opportunity to see the power of the African lion, the grace of the snow leopard and the greatness of the Amur tiger in just a few hours. This is a journey that will give unforgettable emotions to both children and adults, and help them take a fresh look at the amazing world of wildlife.
Interesting sights nearby:
• Memorial of Glory;
• Cathedral;
• The Museum of Musical Instruments named after Ykylas;
• House of Officers-House of the Army;
• Zhambyl Kazakh State Philharmonic;
• Green Bazaar;
• Small Stage Artishok Theater;
• Tulebaev Street;
• Panfilov Pedestrian Street;
• Zhibek Zholy Pedestrian Street;
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