Jihlava Zoo

Jihlava Zoo is a zoological garden located in Jihlava, in the Vysočina Region of eastern Czechia. The facility grew out of small enclosures built in the 1950s on the grounds of the Regional Pioneer House, which back then housed raccoons, foxes, Cameroon goats, and badgers. The garden officially gained zoo status in 1982, and in 1994 it was accepted as a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), a step that placed it among the notable zoological institutions of Europe.

How did the zoo expand over the years?

A turning point in the institution's history came in 2011, when it launched a major development project known as the "Zoo of Five Continents," financed through the South-East Regional Operational Programme. The project's total budget reached approximately 135 million Czech korunas, with more than 94 million funded by the European Union. In April 2013 the Australian Farm exhibit opened, followed that same summer by the African Savanna, and subsequently by exhibits dedicated to African primates and hyenas. Asian-themed exhibits were added in the following years, and the entire project was completed in December 2015 with the opening of a new Tropical Pavilion.

What animals can visitors see at Jihlava Zoo?

The zoo is home to roughly 260 species of exotic animals, including a number of endangered species. Jihlava Zoo specializes in the breeding of large carnivores, monkeys, and reptiles, which makes it one of the more significant Czech institutions engaged in breeding programs for these animal groups. Thanks to its division into continental zones—Australia, Africa, and Asia—visitors can explore fragments of ecosystems from different parts of the world in a single location, observing everything from large mammals to smaller primate species and reptiles.

Why is Jihlava Zoo worth visiting?

Jihlava Zoo combines the intimate character of a regional institution with the ambitions of a modern zoological garden meeting European standards, confirmed by its EAZA membership. The continental exhibits developed over the past decade turn a walk through the zoo into a journey across different climate zones of the world—from the Australian savanna to the tropical pavilion. It is a destination suited both to families with children and to visitors interested in species conservation, since the zoo actively participates in European breeding programs for endangered animals.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Jihlava Zoo located? The zoo is located in the city of Jihlava, in the Vysočina Region in eastern Czechia.

How many animal species does the zoo house? The facility presents around 260 species of exotic animals, including several endangered species.

Since when has the zoo existed? The first enclosures date back to the 1950s, the site gained official zoo status in 1982, and it has been an EAZA member since 1994.

What is the zoo's biggest attraction? The continental exhibits built as part of the "Zoo of Five Continents" project—including the Australian Farm, African Savanna, and Tropical Pavilion—along with its breeding programs for large carnivores and monkeys.