Jardim Zoologico

In Lisbon, the Jardim Zoológico is an institution with roots in the nineteenth century and a role that has changed over time. Opened in 1884, it was the first park with fauna and flora in the Iberian Peninsula. After occupying other locations, it settled permanently in 1905 at Quinta das Laranjeiras. Today it presents itself as a zoological and botanical park and as a centre for the conservation of vulnerable and threatened species. Its grounds are home to around 2,000 animals, belonging to approximately 300 species, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. A visit reveals more than a zoological collection: it shows a place where animal observation intersects with research, environmental education and care for habitats. Among trees, pathways and enclosures, the Jardim Zoológico preserves the memory of nineteenth-century Lisbon and follows contemporary concerns for biodiversity.