Zoopark Bakı: A Guide to Azerbaijan's Oldest Zoo
If you are looking for a fun and educational activity in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, you might want to visit Zoopark Bakı, the country's oldest and most famous zoo. Zoopark Bakı is home to more than 1200 animals of 168 species, some of which are rare and endangered. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Zoopark Bakı, including its history, its animals, and its services.
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Introduction
What is Zoopark Bakı?
Zoopark Bakı is a state zoological park in Baku, Azerbaijan. 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). It is the smallest zoo in the Caucasus region, but also one of the most diverse and modern. The zoo has three sections: theriology (mammals), ornithology (birds), and aquarium and terrarium (fish and reptiles). The zoo also has a symbolical animal: the golden pheasant.
Why visit Zoopark Bakı?
Zoopark Bakı is a great place to visit for many reasons. Here are some of them:
You can see a variety of animals from different continents and habitats, such as lions, kangaroos, zebras, emus, eagles, piranhas, and more.
You can learn about the conservation and breeding of endangered species, such as the Caucasian leopard, the Dagestan tur, the Chinese alligator, and more.
You can enjoy a pleasant walk in a green and spacious park with fountains, sculptures, benches, and playgrounds.
You can have fun with interactive activities such as feeding the animals, watching shows and demonstrations, taking photos with mascots, and more.
You can support the development and improvement of the zoo by buying souvenirs, donating money, or adopting an animal.
History of Zoopark Bakı
The first zoo in Baku
The history of Zoopark Bakı dates back to 1928, when the first zoo in Baku was opened in a park named after Anatoly Lunacharsky (now renamed after Nizami Ganjavi). This date is considered as the founding date of Zoopark Bakı. The zoo was officially transformed into a zoological park in 1942 , but its opening ceremony was held after the Great Patriotic War in 1945.
The relocation and reconstruction of the zoo
In 1958, the zoo was relocated to Bayil on the outskirts of Baku. However, in the mid-1970s, a landslide killed a lion and a bear. As a result, the zoo was temporarily moved to Bakikhanov (formerly Razin), where it stayed until 1985. During this period, a group of experts decided to build a new zoo in the current location of Zoopark Bakı, near the Narimanov metro station. The construction of the new zoo began in 1980 and was completed in 1985. The new zoo had an area of 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres) and housed about 600 animals of 120 species.
The renovation and reopening of the zoo
In 2008, the zoo was closed for a major renovation project that lasted for six years. The project aimed to improve the living conditions of the animals, expand the area of the zoo, modernize the infrastructure and equipment, and create new attractions and services for visitors. The project cost about 10 million manats (about 12 million US dollars). The renovated zoo reopened in 2014 with an area of 4.25 hectares (10.5 acres) and more than 1200 animals of 168 species. The zoo also received a new name: Zoopark Bakı.
Animals of Zoopark Bakı
Mammals
Carnivores, rodents, ungulates, and more
Zoopark Bakı has a rich collection of mammals, especially carnivores. You can see big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and lynxes; bears such as brown bears, black bears, and polar bears; wolves, foxes, raccoons, hyenas, and more. Some of the carnivores are part of conservation programs, such as the Caucasian leopard, which is critically endangered in the wild.
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The zoo also has rodents such as squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and porcupines; ungulates such as zebras, camels, deer, antelopes, goats, and sheep; primates such as monkeys, baboons, lemurs, and macaques; marsupials such as kangaroos and wallabies; and other mammals such as hedgehogs, bats, otters, and skunks.
Birds
Emus, golden pheasants, eagles, and more
Zoopark Bakı is also home to many birds of different sizes and colors. You can see flightless birds such as emus and ostriches; colorful birds such as golden pheasants, peacocks, parrots, and flamingos; birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, owls, and vultures; waterfowl such as ducks, geese, swans, and pelicans; and other birds such as pigeons, doves, turkeys, and chickens. The zoo's symbolical animal, the golden pheasant, is a native of China and has a bright red and yellow plumage.
Fish and reptiles
Pacu, sixla monokulus, Chinese alligator, and more
Zoopark Bakı also has an aquarium and a terrarium where you can see various fish and reptiles. The aquarium has freshwater and saltwater fish such as pacu, sixla monokulus, piranha, clownfish, seahorse, and more. The terrarium has snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, and more. One of the rarest reptiles in the zoo is the Chinese alligator, which is critically endangered in the wild and only found in a small area of China.
Services of Zoopark Bakı
How to get there
Zoopark Bakı is located at 1 Narimanov Avenue, Baku. You can get there by metro, bus, taxi, or car. The nearest metro station is Narimanov (red line), which is about 10 minutes walk from the zoo. You can also take bus number 18 or 46 from the city center or other parts of Baku. A taxi ride from the city center to the zoo costs about 5-10 manats (6-12 US dollars). If you drive your own car, you can park it in the zoo's parking lot for free.
How much does it cost
The entrance fee to Zoopark Bakı is very affordable. It is 2 manats (2.4 US dollars) for adults and 1 manat (1.2 US dollars) for children under 12 years old. Children under 6 years old can enter for free. The zoo also offers discounts for groups of 10 or more people, students, pensioners, veterans, and people with disabilities. You can buy tickets at the zoo's ticket office or online on the zoo's website.
What to do there
Zoopark Bakı has many things to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. You can do the following things at the zoo:
Watch the animals in their enclosures and learn about their habits and characteristics.
Feed some of the animals with special food provided by the zoo staff.
Watch shows and demonstrations featuring animals such as parrots, snakes, crocodiles, and more.
Take photos with the zoo's mascots: Zooli (a golden pheasant), Zooliha (a lioness), Zoolik (a tiger), and Zoolay (a bear).
Buy souvenirs such as toys, magnets, mugs, t-shirts, and more at the zoo's gift shop.
Enjoy a snack or a drink at the zoo's cafe or vending machines.
Have fun at the zoo's playgrounds with slides, swings, trampolines, and more.
Adopt an animal of your choice and support its care and conservation.
Conclusion
Zoopark Bakı is a wonderful place to visit in Baku if you love animals and nature. It is not only a place to see a variety of animals from different continents and habitats, but also a place to learn about their conservation and breeding. It is also a place to have fun with interactive activities such as feeding the animals, watching shows and demonstrations, taking photos with mascots, and more. Zoopark Bakı is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00 (except on Mondays). You can plan your visit by checking the zoo's website or social media pages for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours of Zoopark Bakı?
Zoopark Bakı is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00 (except on Mondays).
How many animals are there in Zoopark Bakı?
Zoopark Bakı has more than 1200 animals of 168 species.
What is the symbolical animal of Zoopark Bakı?
The symbolical animal of Zoopark Bakı is the golden pheasant.
How can I adopt an animal in Zoopark Bakı?
You can adopt an animal in Zoopark Bakı by filling out an application form and paying a fee. You can choose from different categories of animals and different levels of sponsorship. You will receive a certificate, a photo, and a plaque with your name on the animal's enclosure. You will also get updates on the animal's health and well-being.
What are the best times to visit Zoopark Bakı?
The best times to visit Zoopark Bakı are in the morning or in the evening, when the weather is cooler and the animals are more active. You can also check the zoo's website or social media pages for the schedule of shows and demonstrations.
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