Schönbrunn Zoo is the world's oldest and only baroque zoo - unique and a jewel of architecture. Today, it is also among the most modern zoos as animal keeping and research are concerned.

Schönbrunn Zoo, situated in the south-eastern part of the Habsburgs' summer residence, was Emperor's Franz Stephan von Lothringen's - husband of Maria Theresia - private menagerie. In the summer of 1752, the Emperor opened his menagerie, exactly seven years later, he had the impressive pavilion built which is now the zoo's most famous historical monument.

On July 14, 1906, an elephant was born here, the first time ever in a zoo. Until then, zoologists had held the opinion that elephants could not reproduce in captivity.

Today, one finds numerous young animals, not only in the elephant cage but also with the tigers, cheetahs, polar bears, giraffes, seals and penguins, hippopotami and all native species. Schönbrunn is among the most modern zoos in the world. The motto of the zoo, “Schönbrunn should be a zoo of happy animals,” is clearly visible everywhere!

Links: wilkipedia.org,  www.wien.info, www.zoovienna.at