Founded in 1884 by Dr. Pedro Van Der Laan, José Thomaz Sousa Martins and Barão de Kessler, the Lisbon Zoo was the first park with fauna and flora in the Iberian Peninsula. The many consignments of animals from Africa and Brazil contributed to the fact that, over the years, the Lisbon Zoo has had one of the most diverse animal collections in the world.
The Lisbon Zoo isn’t just an animal showroom, it plays an active role in the protection and conservation of Nature. For instance, it has its own Veterinary Hospital, which opened in 2008 and was considered the best in Europe, by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums – EAZA.
The Lisbon Zoo has changed a lot since it opened in the late XIX century. It has a new mission and a new message, it features new attractions and facilities and is a place where conservation and education are combined with a strong component of entertainment and fun. The “new” Zoo houses around 2000 animals in a group of approximately 300 species, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Acrobatic dolphins, a Valley full of Tigers and an Enchanted Forest are just some of the zoo’s many attractions. Take a cable car over the hippos, rhinos, lions and tigers, tour Primates’ Temple, feed the sealions, walk amongst exotic birds and reptiles or simply visit the Children’s Farm. There is also a large Restaurant area, Baby Space and the Zoo Shop where you can find the wildest memorabilia to surprise the whole family!
The Lisbon Zoo is open every day of the year from 10am to 6pm (21st September to 20th March) and until 8pm (21st March to 20th September).
