Lietuvos zoologijos sodas kviečia į kelionę po gamtos pasaulį!
Species conservation
The zoo continuously contributes to the conservation of endangered animal species.
About
Mission
Vision
“The idea of establishing a zoo in Kaunas had been in my mind for a long time. It began back in the days when, during my trips to Kaunas, I started to explore its vibrant surroundings. I was captivated by the Girstupis Valley, the edges of the Marvelė stream, and the Vytautas Oak Grove. I recalled that Adomas Mickevičius had also been fascinated by these beautiful landscapes of Kaunas, and I began to dream that these places could serve a purpose for our society…”
Tadas Ivanauskas
1935
The mission of the Lithuanian Zoo – to introduce the variety of wildlife found in Lithuania and around the world, drawing attention to endangered species and the factors leading to extinction. To promote awareness and responsibility for the preservation of biological diversity and encourage people to develop meaningful connections with animals. To further these goals, we collaborate with educational institutions.
The vision of the Lithuanian Zoo is to be a modern, non-formal natural science education center that introduces the public to both world’s and Lithuania’s biological diversity and its threats. To be a place where public participation in the creation of a sustainable environment and involvement in the biodiversity conservation initiatives is encouraged.
“The idea of establishing a zoo in Kaunas had been in my mind for a long time. It began back in the days when, during my trips to Kaunas, I started to explore its vibrant surroundings. I was captivated by the Girstupis Valley, the edges of the Marvelė stream, and the Vytautas Oak Grove. I recalled that Adomas Mickevičius had also been fascinated by these beautiful landscapes of Kaunas, and I began to dream that these places could serve a purpose for our society…”
Tadas Ivanauskas
1935
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
Istorija
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.
Mission
The mission of the Lithuanian Zoo – to introduce the variety of wildlife found in Lithuania and around the world, drawing attention to endangered species and the factors leading to extinction. To promote awareness and responsibility for the preservation of biological diversity and encourage people to develop meaningful connections with animals. To further these goals, we collaborate with educational institutions.
Vision
The vision of the Lithuanian Zoo is to be a modern, non-formal natural science education center that introduces the public to both world’s and Lithuania’s biological diversity and its threats. To be a place where public participation in the creation of a sustainable environment and involvement in the biodiversity conservation initiatives is encouraged.