Lithuanian Zoological
Garden is open.
Come visit us!

We work every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Mondays from 11:00 a.m.)!

Get to know us

Our history

Species conservation

Meet the animals

Education

I saw a great valley along Kaunas.
Fairies are weaving there on a spring morning…
Green lawn covered with flowers.
There is no more beautiful valley in the world…

A. Mickevičius, year 1822

The Lithuanian Zoo is situated in one of the largest oak groves in Europe, located on the territory of the city.

In the Lithuanian Zoo you can explore the diversity of global wildlife, endangered species, as well as the unique flora and fauna of Lithuania.

Discover, experience, save!

Get to know us

Our history

I saw a great valley along Kaunas.
Fairies are weaving there on a spring morning…
Green lawn covered with flowers.
There is no more beautiful valley in the world…

A. Mickevičius, year 1822

Species conservation

The Lithuanian Zoo is situated in one of the largest oak groves in Europe, located on the territory of the city.

Meet the animals

In the Lithuanian Zoo you can explore the diversity of global wildlife, endangered species, as well as the unique flora and fauna of Lithuania.

Education

Discover, experience, save!

History

On May 23rd, 1935, during the meeting held at the Zoological Museum, Tadas Ivanauskas with like-minded people set the goal of the zoo: “.. to establish and exhibit the Kaunas Zoo, take care of Lithuania’s rarer flora and fauna and secure protection from its extinction.”

On July 1st, 1938 at 5 p.m. the Zoo was officially opened. The opening was initiated by the naturalist prof. Tadas Ivanauskas, Mayor of Kaunas City Antanas Merkys, Minister of Agriculture Stasys Putvinskis, physicist Prof. Ignas Končius and astrophysicist dr. Antanas Juška.

Several hundred people gathered by the original garden gate before the opening even began.  The grand ceremony was accompanied by a lot of educational, political, public figures and the representatives of press, other invited guests of that time.

Amongst important public figures, people like Vice Minister Juozas Jankevičius, Vice Mayor Steponas Rusteika, many professors, heads of government institutions made their appearances as well.

During the first year, the number of exhibits increased by more than 100. By 1939, the number of animal exhibitions reached 140.

By the end of World II, only 42 species of animals remained.

During the post-war period, garden restoration work began and new paths for visitors were installed. The most important stage of that period was the construction of new aviaries for birds from warm countries and large predators – lions, panthers, tigers.

Gradually, about 400 different animals were acquired, the number of species surpassing 100. An aquarium for fish and a terrarium for reptiles has been established, albeit small. Zoo activities intensified.

Kaunas Zoological Garden has been given the title of Republican Zoological Garden.

Kaunas Zoo was visited by more than 260,000 visitors.

For the first time, an Amur tiger cub was born in the Lithuanian Zoo.

A special year for Kaunas Zoo. That year they became a full member of EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums).

Kaunas Zoo has been given the title of Lithuanian Zoo. The zoo was accepted into the European Breeding Program (EEP) for endangered animals, which gave the zoo the opportunity to expand its activities.

The long-awaited renovation of the Lithuanian Zoological Garden began.

  • 1935
  • 1938
  • 1939
  • 1944
  • 1958
  • 1959
  • 1969
  • 1989
  • 1992
  • 2021

History

  • 1935
  • 1938
  • 1939
  • 1944
  • 1958
  • 1959
  • 1969
  • 1989
  • 1992
  • 2021

On May 23rd, 1935, during the meeting held at the Zoological Museum, Tadas Ivanauskas with like-minded people set the goal of the zoo: “.. to establish and exhibit the Kaunas Zoo, take care of Lithuania’s rarer flora and fauna and secure protection from its extinction.”

On July 1st, 1938 at 5 p.m. the Zoo was officially opened. The opening was initiated by the naturalist prof. Tadas Ivanauskas, Mayor of Kaunas City Antanas Merkys, Minister of Agriculture Stasys Putvinskis, physicist Prof. Ignas Končius and astrophysicist dr. Antanas Juška.

Several hundred people gathered by the original garden gate before the opening even began.  The grand ceremony was accompanied by a lot of educational, political, public figures and the representatives of press, other invited guests of that time.

Amongst important public figures, people like Vice Minister Juozas Jankevičius, Vice Mayor Steponas Rusteika, many professors, heads of government institutions made their appearances as well.

During the first year, the number of exhibits increased by more than 100. By 1939, the number of animal exhibitions reached 140.

By the end of World II, only 42 species of animals remained.

During the post-war period, garden restoration work began and new paths for visitors were installed. The most important stage of that period was the construction of new aviaries for birds from warm countries and large predators – lions, panthers, tigers.

Gradually, about 400 different animals were acquired, the number of species surpassing 100. An aquarium for fish and a terrarium for reptiles has been established, albeit small. Zoo activities intensified.

Kaunas Zoological Garden has been given the title of Republican Zoological Garden.

Kaunas Zoo was visited by more than 260,000 visitors.

For the first time, an Amur tiger cub was born in the Lithuanian Zoo.

A special year for Kaunas Zoo. That year they became a full member of EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums).

Kaunas Zoo has been given the title of Lithuanian Zoo. The zoo was accepted into the European Breeding Program (EEP) for endangered animals, which gave the zoo the opportunity to expand its activities.

The long-awaited renovation of the Lithuanian Zoological Garden began.

Our animals on Instagram!

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