Moscow Zoo

Welcome to the Moscow Zoo, a verdant oasis of biological diversity situated surprisingly in the very heart of one of the world's most bustling megacities. As a researcher of natural history, I find the Moscow Zoo to be a…

We begin our journey at the Big Pond, a feature of the zoo that has existed since its founding in 1864. This body of water serves as the central focal point of the Old Territory and provides a remarkably naturalistic habitat for…

Welcome to the Chinese Pavilion, home to one of the most significant biological and diplomatic achievements in the zoo's recent history: our giant panda family. This pavilion is the residence of Ru Yi and Ding Ding, who arrived…

Now, let us look for the elusive symbol of the Moscow Zoo: the Manul cat, also known as Pallas’s cat. This small, fluffy wild cat is native to the rocky steppes of Central Asia and is famous for its grumpy expression and thick,…

Crossing into the New Territory, we come to the monumental Elephant House. This pavilion is home to our Asian elephants, including some quite senior individuals. …

We now arrive at the Polar Bear Residence, a state-of-the-art habitat designed for the world's largest land carnivore. Moscow's climate can be challenging for polar bears in the summer, which is why their enclosure is equipped…

Our final major stop is the Pinniped Pavilion, where we find our seals, sea lions, and walruses. This area is always a hive of activity, especially during feeding times when the keepers engage in 'training sessions' with the…

As we return to the fairytale towers of the main entrance, our journey through the Moscow Zoo comes to an end. We have traveled from the historic ponds of the 1860s to the cutting-edge panda pavilions of the twenty-first century. …