Description of the attraction
The Royal Zoological Garden of Melbourne is the oldest zoo in Australia, founded back in 1862 on the territory of the Royal Park. Today, on an area of 22 hectares, more than 320 species of animals are located, representing not only the original Australian fauna, but also animals from all over the world. Interestingly, the zoo originally contained ordinary domestic animals brought from other continents - they were acclimatized here. And only since 1870, the zoo administration began to acquire monkeys, tigers, lions and other exotic animals. As the collection of the zoo grew, so did the number of its visitors - the territory had to be equipped in accordance with the needs of not only animals, but also people: picnic areas, wooden decks, open enclosures, etc. appeared here.
Research and educational programs play an important role in the zoo's activities, in particular, there is a free-of-charge section for schoolchildren interested in wildlife conservation issues.
Many of the animals living in the zoo are divided into respective climatic zones. For example, in the "Asian Jungle" you can see Sumatran tigers, eastern otters and elephants. "Wild Australia" introduces kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas, echidnas, emus and other inhabitants of the "green" continent. In "Savannah" zebras, giraffes, guinea fowls and African ostriches feel at ease. Not without the favorites of the public - lions, leopards, cheetahs and numerous small cats - servals, caracals, binturogs.
Since the 1930s, the zoo has operated a large free-flying aviary, where you can see the southern cassowary, the Australian crane, parrots, cockatoos and other birds living in Australia.
There are also inhabitants of the sea depths and coasts - seals, penguins, pelicans and stingrays.
Of interest to tourists are some of the historical buildings of the zoo, such as the "House of Elephants", included in the list of national treasures. Today it is possible to stay overnight as part of the "Growl and Snore" tour, during which there is a unique opportunity to see some rare nocturnal animals.
