Lisbon Zoo (Jardim Zoologico de Lisboa) is a zoological garden in

Lisbon Lisbon ( ; ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 567,131, as of 2023, within its administrative limits and 3,028,000 within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, metropolis, as of 2025. Lisbon is mainlan ...

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

. It was founded in 1884. The zoo was originally located in the park of São Sebastião da Pedreira. The zoo moved once in 1894 and once again in 1905 to its current location at Quinta das Laranjeiras, in Sete Rios. About 2,000 animals of more than 300 species are represented: *Approximately *114

mammals A mammal () is a vertebrate animal of the class Mammalia (). Mammals are characterised by the presence of milk-producing mammary glands for feeding their young, a broad neocortex region of the brain, fur or hair, and three middle e ...

*157

birds Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class (biology), class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the Oviparity, laying of Eggshell, hard-shelled eggs, a high Metabolism, metabolic rate, a fou ...

*56

reptiles Reptiles, as commonly defined, are a group of tetrapods with an ectothermic metabolism and Amniotic egg, amniotic development. Living traditional reptiles comprise four Order (biology), orders: Testudines, Crocodilia, Squamata, and Rhynchocepha ...

amphibian Amphibians are ectothermic, anamniote, anamniotic, tetrapod, four-limbed vertebrate animals that constitute the class (biology), class Amphibia. In its broadest sense, it is a paraphyletic group encompassing all Tetrapod, tetrapods, but excl ...

s and

arthropods Arthropods ( ) are invertebrates in the phylum Arthropoda. They possess an arthropod exoskeleton, exoskeleton with a cuticle made of chitin, often Mineralization (biology), mineralised with calcium carbonate, a body with differentiated (Metam ...

The mission of the Lisbon Zoo includes the conservation and breeding of endangered species, as well as scientific research, and educational and recreational activities. About 800,000 people visit the zoo annually.

History

The idea for the creation of a zoo in Lisbon dates back to the year 1882 according to rumors that circulated in the Lisbon press in August of that year. At the time, there was no zoo in the

Iberian Peninsula The Iberian Peninsula ( ), also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in south-western Europe. Mostly separated from the rest of the European landmass by the Pyrenees, it includes the territories of peninsular Spain and Continental Portugal, comprisin ...

with the responsibility of displaying the exotic

flora Flora (: floras or florae) is all the plant life present in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring (indigenous (ecology), indigenous) native plant, native plants. The corresponding term for animals is ''fauna'', and for f ...

and

fauna Fauna (: faunae or faunas) is all of the animal life present in a particular region or time. The corresponding terms for plants and fungi are ''flora'' and '' funga'', respectively. Flora, fauna, funga and other forms of life are collectively ...

of the world, although both

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

and Portugal had hosted menageries before. The idea for the zoo was solidified by Dr. Van Der Laan, Dr. Sousa Martins, and May Figueira, owner of the largest

aviary An aviary is a large enclosure for confining birds, although bats may also be considered for display. Unlike birdcages, aviaries allow birds a larger living space where Bird flight, they can fly; hence, aviaries are also sometimes known as flig ...

in the Portugal at the time. Together they decided to form a zoo similar to those already present in

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

and

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. Lisbon's prime geographical position helped to facilitate this plan. At the end of that year, the group traveled throughout

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

, visiting zoos in various European capitals, and collecting the information needed to facilitate the creation of a zoo in Lisbon. After their trips it became clear that it would be necessary to search for men to finance the creation of the planned zoo. They recruited the help of civil engineer Lino Bento de Sousa, 2nd Baron of Kessler Frederico Luís Hermano, and even D. Fernando II, along with several others. On 5 September 1883, after much preparation and financing a

deed A deed is a legal document that is signed and delivered, especially concerning the ownership of property or legal rights. Specifically, in common law, a deed is any legal instrument in writing which passes, affirms or confirms an interest, right ...

was prepared for the zoo. After which construction began on the required facilities to operate the zoo. On 28 May 1884, the Lisbon Zoo was opened to the public. It housed a collection of 1127 animals available for viewing. Some of which were donated by the

Portuguese royal family The Most Serene House of Braganza (), also known as the Brigantine dynasty (''dinastia Brigantina''), is a dynasty of emperors, kings, princes, and dukes of Portuguese people, Portuguese origin which reigned in Europe and the Americas. The hous ...

and other dignitaries.

Early years

The public was enamored with the newly founded zoo. Garnering 170,000 visitors in its inaugural year. Over the following two years the zoo continued to attract many visitors, but various difficulties, including alleged bad weather, resulted in a drop in the number of visitors. The zoo faced with this issue introduced a new attraction. paid boat trips on the properties lake. With the success of this new attraction the zoo was able to stabilize its revenue. In 1892, a severe winter season caused damage to multiple areas of the zoo. In the same year two owners of the park, Dr. João António Pinto and D. Maria das Dores Pinto, died. As such the heirs were unable to continue operating the facility at this location.

Moving to Palhavã

In 1894, the zoo moved to the lands of Palhavã. This new property stood in stark contrast to the beautiful land on which the old zoo had rested, that of which the public had become so accustomed to. On May 13, 1894, the park reopened. During this period, the zoo began selling and exporting animals, of which it had in excess, in order to balance the park's finances. This process was facilitated by the National Navigation Company which provided free transportation for the animals, and who also helped to bring new species to the zoo. In 1902, a new tram line was introduced that stopped at the zoo. This addition helped to furthermore increase the number of visitors to the zoo.

The Zoo in the 20th Century

The lease for the land the zoo was situated on ended in 1905. During the preceding months the equipment from the zoo was moved to its new location at Quinta Das Laranjeiras. In 1912 Lisbon Zoo administration commissioned architect Raul Lino to develop its new gardens and animal facilities further recognizing the importance of its presence in the city.

Dolphins

The park has 7 dolphins : Soda (F), Kobie (F), Victoria (F), Neo (M), Yuky (M), Sado (M) and Ricky (M).

References

External links

* * (Portuguese) Zoo Zoos in Portugal 1884 establishments in Portugal Tourist attractions in Lisbon Educational organizations established in 1884 Zoos established in the 19th century {{Portugal-stub