Not far from the bank of the river Vltava and the Troja Chateau, on land that had originally been a part of the chateau complex, on rocky ground stands the Prague Zoological Garden. Designed by J. Fuchs, it was opened in 1931 on an area of eight hectares. At first, it had 200 animals. At present, it covers an area of 45 hectares, has 12 kilometres of paths and a funicular. Though not the earliest institution of its kind in Europe, Prague Zoo has linked up with a tradition unmatched by other countries. Already the first kings of Bohemia, after they had made the lion a part of their coat-of-amus, thought it suitable to keep the majestic animal at Prague Castle. Rudolf II then added many other exotic animals to the castle's animal collection. Prague Zoo is one of Europe's largest and also nicest, because of its perfect location. It has a total of 1,960 animals, representing 360 species of mammals, birds and reptiles, 50 of them very rare. Prague Zoo has been associated particularly with the breeding of the Przewalski horse, its trademark animal. The horse can no longer be found in the wild and it is thanks to Prague Zoo that its breeding in zoos across the world has been coordinated since 1959. Sixty-five species are on the list of the European threatened species rescue programme. 750,000 people annually visit the Zoo. Its facilities include a restaurant, refreshments, playgrounds, etc. The Zoo is also accessible by pleasure boats, from piers at the Palacky Bridge and Rudolfinum, stopping at Stromovka.

In 2001, Prague ZOO will celebrate the 70 years since the opening. Today you can see 378 species here and altogether some 1600 animals. 91 of these are on the endangered species list.

every Monday at 10.30 a.m., walking the elephants
daily at 11 a.m., feeding the penguins
daily at 11.30 a.m., feeding the pelicans
every weekend at 12.30 a.m., meeting at the children's corner
daily at 1 p.m., feeding the otters
daily at 1.15 p.m., feeding the kangaroos
daily at 1.30 p.m., exercising the sea lions
daily at 2 p.m., feeding Przewalski's horses
daily at 2.30 p.m., feeding the lions and tigers
daily at 2.45 p.m., exercising the elephants
daily at 3 p.m., feeding the leopard
daily at 4 p.m., exercising the parrots