Stara Zagora Zoo, Zoo in Ayazmoto Park, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
Stara Zagora Zoo is a public zoo set within Ayazmoto Park, a green area on the edge of the city center in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. The enclosures are designed to resemble the natural surroundings of each species, and many are open enough to give visitors a clear view of the animals.
The zoo opened in 1957, during a period when many countries across Europe were establishing new public animal facilities. Over the following decades it grew steadily and became one of the better known zoos in central Bulgaria.
The zoo sits inside Ayazmoto Park, a green space that locals use for walks and weekend outings, so a visit often feels like part of a larger stroll. School groups come regularly, and the open enclosures make it easy for children to watch the animals from close range.
The zoo is within walking distance of the city center of Stara Zagora, as it sits at the edge of a public park. The paths inside are mostly flat and clearly marked, which makes it easy to find your way around on foot.
Since December 2018 the zoo has kept a white Bengal tiger, the only one in Bulgaria. The zoo is also known for breeding brown bears: nine cubs were born between 2002 and 2007, with new births from 2012. A sculpture of two wrestling bear cubs stands opposite the entrance.
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