Melbourne's Royal Zoological Gardens is Australia's oldest zoo Australia, founded back in 1862 on the grounds of Queen's Park. Today, its 22 hectares of grounds are home to more than 320 species of animals, representing not only native Australian fauna, but animals from all over the world. Interestingly, that originally the zoo housed ordinary domestic animals brought from other continents to acclimatise them. It wasn't until 1870 the zoo authorities began to acquire monkeys, tigers, lions and other exotic animals. As the zoo's collection grew, so did the number of visitors - the grounds had to be adapted to meet the needs of not only not only for the animals, but also for the people: picnic areas, wooden decks, open-air enclosures, etc.
Research and educational programmes play an important role in the zoo's activities, in particular, there is a free to visit section for schoolchildren interested in wildlife conservation.
Many of the animals living in the zoo are categorised according to their respective climatic zones. For example, in the "Asian Jungle" you can see Sumatran tigers, eastern otters and elephants. Wild Australia introduces kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas, echidnas, emus, ostriches and other inhabitants of the green continent. In "Savannah" zebras, giraffes, guinea fowls and African ostriches feel at ease. Not without the public favourites - lions, leopards, cheetahs and numerous small cats - servals, caracals, binturogs.
Since the 1930s, the zoo has had a large aviary for free-flying where you can see the Southern Casuar, Australian Crane, parrots, cockatoos and other birds that live in Australia.
There are also inhabitants of the sea depths and coasts - seals, penguins, pelicans and stingrays.
Of interest to tourists are some of the historic buildings of the zoo, such as the Elephant House, which is listed as a national treasure. Today you can stay overnight there as part of the "Growling and Snoring" tour, which offers a unique opportunity to see some rare nocturnal animals.
