Belgrade Zoo, Belgrade

Belgrade Zoo is a renowned public zoo located in Kalemegdan Park, in the heart of downtown Belgrade. Established on July 12, 1936, by the then-mayor Vlada Ilić, it is one of the oldest public zoos in southeastern Europe. Initially covering 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres), the zoo has expanded to encompass 7 hectares (17 acres), housing a diverse collection of 210 animal species, totaling approximately 800 individual animals. This makes it the largest zoological garden in Serbia.

The zoo's historical roots are deep, with early animal acquisitions being facilitated through personal donations. Mayor Ilić himself purchased the first group of animals, and the zoo's first manager, Aleksandar Krstić, celebrated the birth of his son by acquiring a hippopotamus in 1937. The zoo quickly became a favored spot for locals and members of the Karađorđević dynasty.

Among its many attractions, the Belgrade Zoo is particularly noted for its white lions, a symbol of the zoo and the city of Belgrade, which means "white city." The first pair of white lions was received from Kruger National Park in 2005, and the zoo has since achieved notable success in breeding these rare animals, with the first cub born in 2008. Additionally, the zoo obtained a white buffalo from Texas in 2007 and welcomed its first white calf in 2018. The zoo also houses a pair of white tigers.

Belgrade Zoo is active in conservation efforts, focusing on the preservation of endangered local fauna such as the griffon vulture, bearded vulture, and Balkan lynx. In September 2018, the zoo successfully reintroduced its first griffon vulture to the wild.

The zoo also features a petting zoo, reopened in April 2019, which includes domestic animals like alpacas, rabbits, and pygmy goats. This walk-through exhibit covers over 1000 m² and includes a coffee shop and a children's playground.

Another significant addition to the zoo is the penguin enclosure, constructed in May 2019. Initially home to seventeen Humboldt penguins from Vienna and the Emirates, the zoo celebrated the hatching of its first penguin chick in May 2021.