Founded in 1979, the Shymkent Zoo is one of the city’s and region’s main attractions. Its official opening date is recorded as April 29, 1980. The zoo covers a total area of 54 hectares, with 34 hectares dedicated to the exhibition zone, where a picturesque park has been created, featuring 3,500 decorative and 50 fruit trees, along with 10 varieties of tea-hybrid roses. The zoo’s first collection included 75 species of animals and birds. Today, the number of species continues to grow, with an array of deer, argali, ponies, tigers, pythons, lions, and other wildlife.
The Shymkent Zoo is a unique haven of wildlife. Since July 2010, it has been a member of the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums. One of the zoo’s main goals is to protect and increase the populations of endangered animals listed in the Red Book. The zoo staff offer guided tours, deliver lectures, and share their expertise with visitors through biologists and specialists.
