Located inside the 200-acre Al-Zawraa Park alongside Al Zawra’a Dream Park and Zawra'a Tower, the Baghdad Zoo offers you a remarkable glimpse into Iraq's wildlife and resilience. Originally built in 1971, this historic facility endured severe destruction during the 2003 invasion when only 35 of its 650 animals survived, including a Siberian tiger and a blind brown bear. Today, thanks to dedicated international rescue operations and rebuild efforts, the zoo has recovered to house around 1,070 animals.
When you visit, you can see a diverse collection of wildlife including lions, tigers—such as the mixed-breed tiger cubs Hope and Riley—brown bears, wolves, jackals, camels, ostriches, and primates. Beyond the animal exhibits, you can wander through the lush surroundings of Al Zawra’a Gardens, which feature dynamic plant species like date palms (Phoenix dactylifera), weeping willows (Salix babylonica), and eucalyptus. The zoo's fascinating history has even inspired graphic novels, books, and plays.
Visiting this iconic sanctuary allows you to explore an important historic recreational space in Baghdad while experiencing the impressive recovery of its animal habitats and beautiful botanical grounds firsthand.
What to see at Baghdad Zoo
- Observe over 1,000 animals, including lions, brown bears, wolves, jackals, camels, and primates.
- See resident tigers like Hope and Riley, who arrived at the sanctuary in August 2008.
- Explore the surrounding 200-acre Al-Zawraa Park, home to Zawra'a Tower and Al Zawra’a Dream Park.
- Discover diverse botanical species including date palms, weeping willows, and eucalyptus trees.
Visiting tips
Expect security checkpoints upon arrival at Al-Zawraa Park, where special police frisk visitors and search bags and baskets for safety.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Baghdad Zoo is easy to reach on Baghdad’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Baghdad Tower and AlKhulafa Mosque. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Baghdad travel guide.
See the full Baghdad travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.