Schönbrunn Zoo (; also simply called Vienna Zoo) is a 17-hectare (42-acre) zoo in the city of Vienna, Austria. Established in 1752, it is the world's oldest zoo still in operation. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, being a part of the Schönbrunn Palace gardens. It generally receives more than 2 million visitors every year.

As of 2021, it presented a total of 707 different species with around 8,250 specimens. Its primary attractions include the giant pandas, being one of only 27 zoos in the world to house them.

Anthony Sheridan's zoo rankings recognised Schönbrunn Zoo as the best zoo in Europe in years 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2021. Zoologist Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck has been the zoo's director since 2019.

History

Founding and early years

Schönbrunn Zoo was the brainchild of Francis Stephen of Lorraine, the husband of Maria Theresa, the empress of the Habsburg monarchy at the time. In 1745, Francis Stephen commissioned the architect Jean Nicolas Jadot de Ville-Issey to design a menagerie in the park at the Habsburg-Lorraine's summer residence in Schönbrunn.

Twelve enclosures were created in the park, each with equally sized structures for the animals, as well as an administration building with a front garden. A pond and two yards were added later. After approximately one year of construction, the menagerie was unveiled to guests in the summer of 1752. The last section to be completed was the octagonal pavilion at the heart of the site, which was designed as a breakfast and social room and finished in 1759. This pavilion, which still serves as the zoo's historical center, has been used as a restaurant since 1949.

The first elephant, an Indian elephant, arrived at the zoo in 1770, and the first predators—wolves and bears—arrived in 1781. Polar bears, big cats, hyenas, and kangaroos joined the collection around 1800, along with another pair of Asian elephants. Initially, the menagerie was reserved for the imperial family. Later, access was extended to schools, diplomats, and private guests. In 1778, the menagerie, along with the palace and park, was opened to "decently dressed persons" on Sundays. By this time, the zoo had begun welcoming visitors on a daily basis, attracting not only locals from Vienna and the surrounding areas but also international guests. The exotic animals and detailed descriptions in early zoo guides drew widespread interest.

In the 19th century In 1828, Schönbrunn Zoo received its first giraffe as a gift from the Viceroy of Egypt. Its arrival sparked a widespread fascination, influencing fashion, handicrafts, and social life in Vienna. Giraffe motifs adorned clothes, shoes, and utensils, while new hairstyles, a perfume, a theatrical play, and two musical compositions inspired by the giraffe were created.

The zoo underwent significant changes toward the end of the 19th century. Alois Kraus, who served as director from 1879 to early 1919, reorganized the historic grounds to better accommodate the animals and improve the visitor experience. New animal enclosures and farm buildings were constructed or modernized, and the zoo was expanded to the east and south. By the early 20th century, Schönbrunn Zoo was widely regarded as one of the most beautiful zoos in the world.

In 1906, the first elephant to be conceived in a zoological garden was born on its grounds.

The complex remained the private property of the imperial family until the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.

World Wars and the 20th century Only 400 animals survived World War I due to supply shortages and associated hygiene problems. In some instances, animals were slaughtered to feed other animals, and in one occasion, a polar bear was shot dead by a disgruntled soldier who mistakenly thought that it was being fed more than him. The zoo was able to endure thanks to the residents of Vienna, who organized a relief campaign and donated animals and materials to sustain the institution.

Otto Antonius, who served as director of Schönbrunn Zoo from 1924 to 1945, was the first biologist to lead the zoo. Under his leadership, the number of animals increased to more than 3,000 by 1930. Antonius introduced the concept of breeding endangered species for conservation and worked to raise public awareness about nature preservation. He strengthened relationships with the media, universities, and museums to promote the zoo's mission. Notably, the term "menagerie" was officially replaced with "zoo" in 1926 to reflect its modernized role in education and conservation.

At the end of World War II, the zoo suffered severe damage from aerial bombings, which destroyed or significantly damaged many enclosures. More than 1,000 animals died during this time, leaving only 300 survivors. Antonius himself committed suicide along with his wife on the same day Soviet troops arrived. The Soviet and later British occupation forces assisted in the zoo's reconstruction efforts after the war.

Julius Brachetka, director from 1945 to 1958, revived public interest through entertaining media appearances often featuring animals from the zoo. The first promotional posters were created during this period, and photography competitions were introduced to engage visitors. In 1959, a new aquarium and terrarium building was opened to replace structures for ostriches and reptiles that had been destroyed during the bombing.

Under the leadership of Walter Fiedler from 1967 to 1987, the zoo's original area was doubled to 12 hectares with the conversion of the Kleinen Fasangarten (Little Pheasant Garden) to the east. Significant milestones during this time included the opening of a children's zoo in 1969 and the establishment of one of Europe's first zoo education departments in 1976.

By the late 1980s, criticism of outdated animal husbandry practices had reached a peak. Proposals to close the zoo or relocate it to another district of Vienna were actively discussed. However, these discussions ended in 1991, after which the zoo was restructured as Schönbrunner Tiergarten-Ges.m.b.H., a private entity managed separately from federal administration. The Republic of Austria remained the sole shareholder.

Helmut Pechlaner, a veterinarian and former director of Alpenzoo Innsbruck, was appointed managing director. With support from the Austrian government, numerous donors, and sponsors, he oversaw the modernization and expansion of the zoo. The first completed project was the small monkey house in 1992, featuring two "monkey islands" in the baroque pond as outdoor enclosures for ring-tailed lemurs and gibbons. Additional expansions included a section of the Vienna Woods to the south, the Tirolerhof (Tyrolean Farmyard), a modern elephant park, enclosures for big cats and giant pandas, an insectarium, and one of Europe's largest rhino enclosures, which housed two Indian rhinos, gifted in 2006 by Nepal's former royal family. These rhinos had been orphaned and were unable to be reintegrated into the wild.

The ensemble of Schönbrunn Palace, Zoo and Palace Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The same year saw the unveiling of the first large bronze sculpture by Gottfried Kumpf, a lion. More bronze sculptures that remain a popular photo motif to this day were added over the following decades. The Rainforest House was opened to celebrate the zoo's 250th anniversary in 2002, which was also the year in which the first koalas arrived at Schönbrunn and the panorama railway experience was opened.

Recent years Dagmar Schratter succeeded Helmut Pechlaner as sole managing director on January 1, 2007, and held the position until the end of 2019. During her tenure, the zoo received five awards recognizing it as the best in Europe, celebrated the birth of five giant panda cubs, and achieved a record 2.6 million visitors in 2008. Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck, formerly of Tierpark Hagenbeck in Hamburg, was introduced as her successor in autumn 2019 and assumed the role in January 2020.

Exhibits Polar Bear World - Franz Josef Land The polar bear exhibit is located in the Franz Josef Land facility, which features a pool that allows visitors to observe the bears swimming underwater. The facility spans 1,700 square metres. The name pays tribute to the successful expedition to the Arctic achieved by Austria-Hungary in the 1870s. The visitor centre, known as the Polar Dome, has been designated an "Arctic Ambassador Centre" by Polar Bears International.

Polarium

The Polarium, for cold water animals, is home to South American sea lions and penguins. Through a 13-metre-long pool window, one can see the maned seals swimming. During feeding sessions, the animals climb onto the rocks and jump into the water to catch fish.

For the king and rockhopper penguins, the seasonal light and climate conditions of their native habitats are simulated: approximately 10°C indoors and 8°C in the water.

Rainforest House The Rainforest House exhibit opened in 2002, marking the zoo's 250th anniversary. Inside the glass house is an imitation of a mountain slope from a Southeast Asian rainforest. This area houses rare species such as northern river terrapins, Asian small-clawed otters, various birds, flying foxes, and Fiji banded iguanas. Temperatures are maintained at a minimum of 25 °C, and humidity remains above 80% year-round. After more than 20 years of exposure to humid conditions, the Rainforest House requires extensive renovation. It is scheduled to reopen in 2025 with a new concept.

ORANG.erie

Now called the ORANG.erie, the first Palm House, which was built in the 19th century under Emperor Franz Joseph I and used as a film studio from 1920, was revitalised in 2009 and has been home to the orangutans since then. Reproductions of the works by Nonja, a female orangutan, are on display at "Atelier Nonja", the adjacent café-restaurant. Nonja is famous for the paintings she created with the paints and brushes given to her in the 1990s.

Insectarium The Insectarium opened in 2005 and originally displayed insects known for their camouflage and deceptive abilities in 14 different terrariums. In 2023, remodelling began. Upon completion, the house will provide shelter primarily for reptiles rescued by the zoo from the illegal wildlife trade.

Aquarium and Terrarium House Visitors enter the Aquarium and Terrarium House through the crocodile pavilion. Species kept in the aquarium include piranhas, lionfish, moray eels, jellyfish, and rays, as well as a large coral reef with hundreds of Indo-Pacific fish. A tunnel aquarium with arapaimas leads to the terrarium building where snakes, iguanas, Aldabra giant tortoises, and other reptiles reside.

The construction of the new Schönbrunn Conservation Aquarium at the site of the existing aquarium near the entrance at Hietzing is set to begin in 2025. A new building is necessary as the existing structure has reached the end of its service life, and refurbishment was considered impractical for both operational and economic reasons. The aquarium, which will be the biggest in Austria, will provide insights into the conservation breeding of critically endangered species outside of their natural habitats, further emphasising the zoo's commitment to wildlife conservation. The new Schönbrunn Conservation Aquarium is scheduled to open in 2028.

Tirolerhof

The Haidachhof, a two-storey Lower Inn Valley farmhouse dating back to 1722, is a listed building that was dismantled at its original location in Brandenberg, Tyrol, and rebuilt at the zoo. Endangered breeds of farm animals such as Tux-Zillertal, Pustertaler Sprinzen and Original Braunvieh cattle, Noriker horses, Carinthian sheep, Tauernscheck goats and Sulmtaler chickens have been kept here in the stables since then.

Nature Discovery Trail