Plan of the zoo
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Date opened | July 1, 1938 |
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Location | Kaunas, Lithuania |
Coordinates | 54°54′05″N 23°57′05″E / 54.90139°N 23.95139°ECoordinates: 54°54′05″N 23°57′05″E / 54.90139°N 23.95139°E |
Land area | 15.9 ha (39 acres) |
No. of animals | 2000 (2016) |
No. of species | 250 (2016) |
Annual visitors | 150.000 (2015) |
Memberships | EAZA |
Major exhibits | The aquarium, The Reptile House, The Monkeys House, The Tigers corner, The Birds House |
Website | www.zoosodas.lt |
Lithuanian Zoo previously known as Kaunas' Zoo is the oldest scientific zoo in Lithuania. It is located in an Ąžuolynas oak grove park in the south-western Žaliakalnis elderate of Kaunas. The territory of the zoo is 15.9 hectares (39 acres).
The zoo was initiated in 1935 by famous Lithuanian zoologist Tadas Ivanauskas and opened on 1 July 1938 with 40 animals. These creatures were either personally owned by T. Ivanauskas or were gifts from other zoos. Within one year, the number grew to 150. The zoo currently has over 2,800 animals, and is classed as a medium-size zoo according to European zoo standards. It experienced funding difficulties during the 2000s.