Copenhagen Zoo

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Copenhagen Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Europe. It was founded by the ornithologist Niels Kjærbølling in 1859. He was given the summer garden of "Prinsess Vilhelmines Have" (The garden of Princess Vilhelmine) by the chief directorate of Copenhagen.

The animals that the visitors could contemplate at the opening were eagles, chickens, ducks, owls, rabbits, a fox, a seal in a bathtub and a turtle in a bucket. In the early years the zoo focused on showing as many different types of animals as possible, but as animal welfare later became an issue, the number of different species has dropped in favour of more space to each animal.

The zoo is the only one outside of Australia that has Tasmanian Devils in captivity.

One of the most notable animals kept there was a male slow worm that lived there from 1892 to 1946 (for 54 years, which is a record among lizards) ^[1] ^[2].

Copenhagen Zoo is the most visited zoo in Denmark. The range of animals and the addition of new facilities in recent years places it among the best in Europe.

Through the years, the others Danish zoos have benefitted from the knowledge and expertise of Copenhagen Zoo, as well as from its international engagement. Copenhagen Zoo has through the years provided extended consulting services to the other Danish zoos, among other things in relation to the founding of school services and teaching departments and in relation to veterinarian and international issues. Copenhagen Zoo is a member of DAZA, Danish Association of Zoos and Aquaria.