Huai'an Zoo

Huai'an Zoo

Huai'an Zoo

Huai'an Zoo is located on the north side of Xinmin East Road, adjacent to the Rose Garden to the east and facing Chuxiu Garden across the water. It covers an area of 5 hectares. The zoo was developed from the "Fuxing Zoo" owned by a Mr. Wang in 1958.

In 1977, a site in the southwest of the South Garden (now Chuxiu Garden) was selected for land acquisition and the construction of a new zoo. Based on the process of animal evolution, reptiles, birds, birds of prey, small and large carnivores, herbivores, primates, and other animals were scientifically and rationally grouped and arranged according to their natural habitats and behavioral habits. Facilities such as the Aviary, Small Mammal House, Waterfowl Lake, Bear Mountain, Large Monkey Mountain, Raptor House, Deer Park, and the Administration & Exhibition Building were subsequently designed and built. At the same time, 700 plants of 67 species were planted throughout the zoo. By the end of 1997, the zoo’s green coverage rate reached 90%.

When the new zoo opened to the public in 1982, it housed 36 species of reptiles and birds totaling over 500 individuals, and 13 species of mammals totaling 63 individuals. Among them were first-class nationally protected animals such as the Siberian tiger, red-crowned crane, black vulture, monitor lizard, Chinese giant salamander, white stork, red-faced stork, white crane, brown eared pheasant, great bustard, and sika deer. Second-class protected animals included the black bear, brown bear, wild goose, rhesus monkey, hill myna, and white eagle. At that time, it became the best zoo in northern Jiangsu in terms of wildlife species and quantity, layout scale, and environmental greening. After 1988, service facilities such as the Crane Forest Tea House, photo studio, Swan Lake Restaurant, and tourist souvenir shop were added. In 1992, a 3,600-square-meter animal breeding farm was also established. Additionally, recreational and participatory activities such as a horse racing track, goat-pulled carts, monkey-pulled carts, and a “Pigsy Carrying the Sedan Chair” ride were introduced. It became the only independently open comprehensive zoo in the province.