Baku Zoo, Baku, Azerbaijan

Baku Zoo, Baku, Azerbaijan

Baku zoo is a state zoological park in Baku. It is the oldest zoo in Azerbaijan and was opened in 1928. It belongs to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan and to the Mayoralty of Baku city. Baku zoo was opened in 1928, in the territory of a park named after Lunacharsky.In 1942, a new zoo was founded on the basis of evacuated Rostov zoo, the opening ceremony of which was held after the Great Patriotic War. Until 1958, the zoological park was located near a railway station in a small square, which was later named after Ilich.

In 1958, the zoo was relocated to Bayil township, on the outskirts of Baku and remained there until the middle of 1970s, when a Bayil landslide happened, during which a lion and a bear died crushed in a fallen cage. This tragic event made the city power to think about a new, safe place for the zoo, but until the decision was made, the zoo was temporarily relocated to Razin township (at present Bakikhanov township), where it was located until 1985.

But during this period of time an expert group of zoologists, biologists and other specialists decided that a park located in the territory of Narimanov rayon of Baku was the appropriate place for habitation of animals. Construction of the new zoo was begun near a railway station for children, and according to the plan were allocated for it. To speed up construction it was decided to temporarily use only of the land and later expand the territory by constructing a circular railway for children at the zoo.

Epic Azerbaija Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound