The history of the zoo dates back to the Second World War. Novosibirsk had a compound arranged for animals that were previously kept in zoos and circuses in active combat zones. When the war was over, 54 species of mammals and birds remained in the city, forming the basis of the future collection. In 1969 Rostislav Shilo, who contributed a lot to the development and improvement of the zoo, became its director. Today the zoo is named after him.
It is believed to be one of the best zoos in Russia. On 65 hectares of pine forest, the zoo houses about 11 thousand animals of 770 species, some of which are listed in the Red Book.
Most of them are mammals. But the zoo is also home to amphibians, invertebrates, reptiles, birds and fish.
Representatives of the local families of cats and mustelids have become internationally renowned. Here you can meet many different felines: tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, lynxes, wildcats and even ligers, lion and tiger hybrids. The zoo is home to rare species such as flying squirrel, markhor, musk ox, Bengal cat, Egyptian flying dog, etc.
Next to the zoo, there’s the Delfiniya Centre, and the zoo territory itself includes various fun constructions and rides: Dinopark, Ferris Wheel, a station of the West Siberian Children’s Railway, the Castle of Terror, the Upside Down House, the house of Baba-Yaga and so much more.
