Varna Zoo, Zoo in the Sea Garden, Varna, Bulgaria
Varna Zoo sits in the Sea Garden, next to the Dolphinarium and the Museum of Natural History. It was built between 1958 and 1961 to a layout by architect Bistra Markova, with K. Karakashev and support from mayor Nikolay Boyadzhiev. Today it keeps 60 species and more than 300 animals, including 17 protected kinds listed in Bulgaria's Red Book.
The facility opened in 1961 and has served as a place for animal observation and care in the city since then. Over the decades, it developed into a center that also takes in injured and threatened creatures.
The zoo houses animals from rescue operations, many of which can be observed in their enclosures as caretakers work with them daily. Visitors see firsthand how the staff cares for injured or endangered creatures.
The site is best explored on foot, with paths winding through the enclosures and offering various viewing points. Wear comfortable shoes, as the ground is uneven and shade becomes welcome on warm days.
Since 2007, the facility has actively worked to care for and release injured and threatened bird species back to the wild. These rescue and release programs are a less known side of the work that visitors often overlook.
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