Gdańsk Zoo

The Gdańsk Zoo, located in the Oliwa district of Gdańsk, covers over 123 hectares of the Trójmiejski Landscape Park, making it the largest zoo in Poland by area. Its history dates back to the 1920s when a menagerie operated in Oliwa. After World War II, on May 1, 1954, a new facility was opened in the Leśny Młyn Valley, on the site of a former sanatorium. The dynamic development of the zoo in the 1950s and 1960s was thanks to its first director, Michał Massalski. By the mid-1980s, the zoo was home to approximately 800 animals from 176 species, attracting around 400,000 visitors annually. At the end of 2019, the zoo housed 220 animal species, including 74 species of mammals, 57 species of birds, and 29 species of reptiles, with an attendance of 486,693 visitors. The Gdańsk Zoo has achieved breeding successes, particularly with Andean condors and Rothschild's giraffes. In 2008, a new giraffe house was opened, and in subsequent years, meerkats, cheetahs, and golden takins were introduced. The zoo participates in the European Endangered Species Programme, showcasing rare and endangered species such as the anoa and Javan lutungs. The Gdańsk Zoo is also a member of prestigious organizations like the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. Director Michał Targowski led the zoo from 1991 until 2023, when he was succeeded by Emilia Salach. The zoo stands out not only for its rich fauna but also for its modern architectural solutions and diverse attractions, drawing numerous visitors and making it an important cultural and educational center in the region.