São Paulo Zoo was created in June, 1957, following an order by Governor Jânio Quadros to Director of Department of Hunt and Fish of Secretariat of Agriculture, Emilio Varoli.

First wild animlas, like lions, camels, bears and elephants, were acquired from a small circus; Brazilian animals, including jaguars and Guianan cock of the rock, in Manaus.

Due to storms, opening had to be postponed from January, 1958  to March, 16, when São Paulo Zoo was officially opened. At that year, entrance was free. In 1959, Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo (Zoo Foundation) was created and tickets were charged.

Aware of its responsibility in Brazilian conservation context, São Paulo Zoo became the first Brazilian institution to propose and effectively participate in several programs to recovery endangered Brazilian species, such as golden-headed lion tamarin, small neotropical felines, Lear’s macaw and Hyacinth’s macaw.

Due to its continuous and improving investments in Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo (Zoo Foundation) since the beginning, in 1994, Guinness Book gave a certificate of the largest Zoo in Brazil. In the same year, after meeting all basic requirements in law, Zoo had been classified under category “E”, the highest level, together with Instituto Brasileiro de Meio Ambiente e Recursos Naturais Renováveis (Ibama – Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Natural Renewable Resources).

In May, 2001, Simba Safari had been merged to Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo and reopened in June 05, 2001, as “Zoo Safari”.

Lying on a 900,000 m² area mostly covered by Mata Atlantica forest, you will find historic Ipiranga River head, that further forms lakes used as home for several native and wild birds, as well as migratory birds. Today, global population at Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo is more than 3,200 animals recorded, representing 200 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, 98 species of reptiles, and also amphibians and invertebrata. 

In scientific scene, São Paulo Zoo has been presenting a highly significant contribution to Brazilian fauna problems,  Supporting technical and scientific contacts with other research centers, such as Butantan Institute, Instituto Biológico de São Paulo (São Paulo Biological Institute) and Adolfo Lutz Institute, and also partnerships with University of São Paulo, Universidade Estadual Júlio de Mesquita Filho (Unesp), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (PB), Universidade Estadual de Londrina (PR) and Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (RS).

Approx. 1,600,000 people visit the zoo every year. Guided tours, courses for teachers, night tours and educational presentations on animals and other environment preservation aspects are available.

Service:
Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo
Avenida Miguel Stefano, 4.241 - Água Funda – Southern Region (Jabaquara subway station)
Phone: (5511) 5073-0811
Site: www.zoologico.sp.gov.br
Time: Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm 
Price: R$ 13 to adults and children over 12; R$ 3.50 for children from seven to 12 years old and R$ 6.50 for students. Free for children under seven and elderly people

Image gallery: Zoo