Rio de Janeiro Zoo, Rio de Janeiro

The Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden is situated in the São Cristóvão district within Rio de Janeiro. Its primary mission encompasses both environmental conservation and educational initiatives, primarily centered around the diverse array of animals within its collection, which primarily includes fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

This zoo is situated within a 55,000-square-meter park, situated behind Quinta da Boa Vista. At present, its collection houses more than 1,300 animals, representing 350 different species. Many of these species are considered rare and at risk of endangerment, including notable examples such as the Lear's macaw, harpy eagle, broad-snouted caiman, maned wolf, golden-headed lion tamarin, anteater, and the king vulture. Furthermore, in addition to native species originating from the Amazon Region, the Pantanal, and the Brazilian Cerrado, the zoo also features animals from other countries, such as rhinoceroses and American brown bears.

The establishment of the first zoo in Rio dates back to 1870, credited to João Batista Viana Drummond, known as the Baron of Drummond. It was initially situated in the Vila Isabel neighborhood, and Emperor Pedro II granted permission for its creation. To secure funding for the endeavor, the Baron organized a raffle, where tickets featured images of each of the 25 animals in his collection. At the end of the zoo's operations, one animal would be randomly selected from the pool, and the holder of the corresponding winning ticket would receive a cash prize. The Vila Isabel zoo closed its doors in the 1940s and was subsequently relocated to Quinta da Boa Vista on March 18, 1945.