Kyiv Zoo is the largest zoo in the CIS countries and one of the oldest zoos in Ukraine. It occupies an area of ​​about forty hectares. There are about 3.5 thousand representatives of fauna from all over the world in the zoo's collection. Here, scientific work is carried out on the acclimatization of animals inhabiting distant countries, on the conservation and reproduction of rare species of animals, such as bison, Amur tiger, Przewalski's horse, etc.

The zoo was created on the initiative of the Kiev Association of Nature Lovers in 1908. It all started with an exhibition of representatives of the fauna of the South Russian Territory of Russia from 17 species of mammals and birds. After some time, the exhibition became permanent and turned into a zoo. In those days, the zoo was located on the territory of the botanical garden of the University of St. Vladimir (now Shevchenko University). Animals were donated or brought from expeditions by university scientists. In winter, representatives of the fauna of hot countries were placed in the warehouses of the railway station Kyiv Tovarny.
Over time, the collection of animals grew so much that it ceased to fit in the territory of the botanical garden allotted to it, in addition, the loud cries of animals disturbed the people who lived nearby. Therefore, in 1911, the question was raised about moving the zoo to another place, and in the same year the city Duma allocated a large area on the then outskirts of the city. The relief of this area was very complex, full of ravines with humps and not suitable for residential or industrial construction, but it was perfect for a zoo - the complexity of the relief was rationally and successfully used, lakes for waterfowl were arranged in the former ravines, the perspective is clearly visible from the upper points .

All this time, the City Duma did not allocate funds for the maintenance of the zoo, and it existed at the expense of private donations. The entrance to the zoo was free. But after the revolution of 1917, the zoo was nationalized and became the property of the state.
Before the Second World War, there were about 1,500 animals in the zoo, but during the Nazi occupation it was devastated, the most valuable specimens of animals were loaded onto a train and sent to Germany, and a German military garrison was located on the territory of the zoo itself.

After the liberation of Kyiv, the zoo was reconstructed. Gradually, new enclosures appeared. Animal Island was built in 1982. In the period 1998-2003, the Aviary enclosures appeared - a kind of area for keeping rare birds - black vultures, and the Bear Continent.

In 1983, the Kyiv zoo received the status of a state zoo and was included in the list of objects of the natural reserve fund, in 1996 it became a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums and actively connected to international programs for the reproduction of rare and endangered species of animals. Now the zoo's collection contains about 3,500 animals, representatives of 400 species.