Biggest Zoo in the World: Area vs Animals (2026 Guide)
Published: 10 Mar 2026
Looking for the biggest zoos in the world? The Wilds Safari Park in Ohio, USA is one of the largest wildlife conservation parks, with over 10,000 acres of open-range habitats. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Zoo is the largest accredited natural habitat zoo, offering a more traditional zoo experience where animals live in carefully designed ecosystems.
This guide ranks the top 10 biggest zoos in the world based on land area, species diversity and unique visitor experiences.
From open-range conservation parks to traditional city zoos, you’ll discover which parks truly stand out for wildlife enthusiasts.
Largest Zoos in the World Ranked by Land Area
Below is a detailed look at the largest zoos in the world alongside their land area and animal diversity. This will help you spot which ones are must-visit destinations for any wildlife lovers.
| Rank | Zoo Name | Country | Land Area (Approx.) | Animals / Species | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Wilds Safari Park | USA | ~10,000 acres | ~300+ animals <25 species | One of the world’s largest conservation parks with open‑range habitats |
| 2 | Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park | India | ~5,532 acres | ~1,071 animals & ~84 species | Asia’s largest zoo by area with many native species |
| 3 | Monarto Safari Park | Australia | ~3,700 acres | ~500+ animals & ~50 species | Australia’s largest open‑range zoo, focus on African & native wildlife |
| 4 | North Carolina Zoo | USA | ~2,600 acres | ~1,800+ animals & ~250 species | Largest accredited natural habitat zoo in the world |
| 5 | Khao Kheow Open Zoo | Thailand | ~1,976 acres | ~8,000+ animals & ~300+ species | Large open zoo with diverse wildlife; second largest in Asia |
| 6 | San Diego Zoo Safari Park | USA | ~1,800 acres | ~3,000+ animals & ~293 species | Safari‑style park with expansive natural exhibits |
| 7 | Arignar Anna Zoological Park | India | ~1,490 acres | ~2,389 animals & ~178 species | One of South Asia’s largest zoos with diverse exhibits |
| 8 | The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens | USA | ~1,200 acres | Not publicly reported | Desert ecosystem zoo with unique habitats |
| 9 | Nandankanan Zoological Park | India | ~1,080 acres | ~3,004 animals & ~156 species | Extensive zoo with birds, mammals, reptiles and orchids |
| 10 | Toronto Zoo | Canada | ~710 acres | ~5,000+ animals | Canada’s largest zoo with animals from multiple continents |
Biggest Zoo by Size vs Zoo With the Most Animals
The biggest zoo in the world is usually ranked by land area but some zoos are better known for their huge animal collections and species diversity.
For example, The Wilds Safari Park in the USA is one of the largest zoos by size covering around 10,000 acres. However, Berlin Zoological Garden is famous for having one of the world’s largest animal collections with thousands of animals and hundreds of species.
This means the largest zoo by land area is not always the zoo with the most animals or species.
Read Also: Which Zoo Has the Most Animals in the World?
Top 10 Biggest Zoos in the World by Area – Detailed Guide
Based on land area, these are the largest zoos in the world, offering vast habitats, diverse wildlife and unforgettable safari experiences.
1. The Wilds Safari Park — USA
- Size: ~10,000 acres
- Country: USA
The Wilds Safari Park was founded in 1984 as a conservation-focused wildlife park for endangered species. Located in rural Ohio, it is not a traditional zoo but a large open-range wildlife reserve where animals roam freely across vast natural habitats, offering a true North American safari-style experience.
Visitors can see giraffes, rhinos and antelopes during guided tours all living in large enclosures designed to closely replicate their natural environments.
Spanning over 10,000 acres, The Wilds is widely recognized as one of the largest wildlife conservation parks in the world by land area with expansive habitats that go far beyond traditional zoo enclosures.
Learn more on the official Wilds Safari Park website.
Read Also: Top 10 Best Zoos in the World Ranked
2. Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park — India
- Size: ~5,532 acres
- Country: India
Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park opened in 1987 in Andhra Pradesh. It is Asia’s largest zoo by land area, with vast forested landscapes where animals live in naturalistic habitats rather than small cages.
Tigers, lions, elephants and deer roam freely across the park’s expansive terrain, making it a top destination for wildlife lovers. Spanning over 5,500 acres, the park is more than twice the size of many urban zoos in India.
Want to know about the largest zoos in India:
Read: TOP 10 LARGEST ZOOS IN INDIA
3. Monarto Safari Park — Australia
- Size: ~3,700 acres
- Country: Australia
Monarto Safari Park, established in 1983 near Adelaide, is Australia’s largest open-range zoo. It offers a true safari experience outside Africa. Animals such as giraffes, zebras and rhinos roam across large savanna-style enclosures.
The park focuses on conservation and breeding programs, particularly for endangered species from both Africa and Australia. It is often described as a “safari experience outside Africa” due to its size and naturalistic habitats.
Read Also: Top 5 Biggest Zoos in the UK Ranked by Size
Read Also: Biggest Zoos in Europe
4. North Carolina Zoo — USA
- Size: ~2,600 acres
- Country: USA
The North Carolina Zoo, opened in 1974, is widely regarded as the largest accredited natural habitat zoo in the world. It was designed to move away from traditional cages instead giving animals large, open spaces that closely resemble their natural environments.
Today, it spans 2,600 acres and features detailed recreations of African and North American ecosystems.
Visitors can see giraffes grazing, lions resting and polar bears swimming in large aquatic habitats. With over 1,800 animals from around 250 species, the zoo offers a blend of conservation, education and immersive wildlife experiences.
Read: Top Zoos in the US to Visit with Family
5. Khao Kheow Open Zoo — Thailand
- Size: ~1,976 acres
- Country: Thailand
Khao Kheow Open Zoo, opened in 1978, is a large wildlife park dedicated to conservation, education and recreation. Its vast enclosures allow animals like elephants, tigers, gibbons and exotic birds to roam freely in forested and grassland areas.
The park also offers a night safari, giving visitors a unique view of nocturnal animals. With over 8,000 animals from more than 300 species, it is one of Asia’s most diverse open-range zoos.
Read Also: Top 10 Largest Zoos in Asia
6. San Diego Zoo Safari Park — USA
- Size: ~1,800 acres
- Country: USA
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, opened in 1972, expands on the original San Diego Zoo with larger, naturalistic habitats. Animals including giraffes, rhinos and antelopes roam expansive safari-style enclosures.
Visitors can take guided tours, walk along boardwalks or ride a zipline over the savanna. Home to over 3,000 animals from nearly 300 species, it is one of the most diverse open-range zoos in the world.
For tickets, tours and visitor experiences, you can explore available options below.
Read: San Diego Zoo Facts: Size, History, Why It Is Famous & What Makes It Special
7. Arignar Anna Zoological Park — India
- Size: ~1,490 acres
- Country: India
Arignar Anna Zoological Park, also known as Vandalur Zoo, opened in 1976 near Chennai. It is one of South Asia’s largest zoos, offering spacious, naturalistic habitats for a wide variety of animals.
The zoo is home to hundreds of species, including tigers, lions, elephants and deer. Visitors can explore safari zones or walk through enclosures that mimic the animals’ native environments.
With around 2,389 animals from 178 species, this zoo is both vast and diverse, making it a top destination for wildlife enthusiasts and families.
Read Also: Asia Biggest Zoos Ranked by Area
8. The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens — USA
- Size: ~1,200 acres
- Country: USA
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens in California was established in 1970 with a focus on desert wildlife conservation and education and is one of the largest desert-focused zoos in the USA. Unlike traditional zoos, it showcases animals and plants from deserts around the world, giving visitors a chance to learn about these unique ecosystems.
Here, you can see cheetahs, giraffes, desert tortoises and various reptiles living in habitats designed to replicate their natural homes.
The park also features botanical gardens with cacti and desert flora, combining animal and plant conservation in a unique desert ecosystem experience.
Want to know the largest zoos in the United States
Read: Top 10 Largest Zoos in the US by Area
9. Nandankanan Zoological Park — India
- Size: ~1,080 acres
- Country: India
Nandankanan Zoological Park, located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, opened in 1960 and was one of India’s first zoos to focus on wildlife conservation and breeding programs. Its name “Nandankanan” means “The Garden of Heaven” reflecting the lush greenery and natural landscapes inside the park.
The zoo is home to a wide range of animals, including white tigers, lions, elephants and exotic birds. It also features a large natural lake, botanical gardens and a breeding program that has successfully increased populations of endangered species.
Nandankanan is famous for its white tiger breeding program and houses over 3,000 animals across 156 species.
READ: Facts About Zoos: Importance, Animal Care & Fun Facts
10. Toronto Zoo — Canada
- Size: ~710 acres
- Country: Canada
The Toronto Zoo opened in 1974 with a vision to be a world-class conservation and education center. Located just outside the city, it is Canada’s largest zoo and is divided into regions representing different continents, including Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Visitors can see gorillas, polar bears, tigers, and over 5,000 other animals, all living in spacious exhibits designed to replicate their natural habitats. The zoo also focuses on research and breeding programs to protect endangered species.
With animals spread across such diverse regions, the Toronto Zoo offers visitors a mini “world tour” of wildlife in a single day.
Learn more about the Toronto Zoo on Toronto Zoo official website.
Open-Range Zoos vs Traditional Zoos
Many of the biggest zoos in the world are open-range safari parks rather than traditional city zoos. Open-range zoos use large natural habitats where animals can roam more freely across wide landscapes.
Traditional zoos are usually smaller and located inside cities while safari parks focus on spacious environments and immersive wildlife experiences. Parks like Monarto Safari Park and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are known for their large safari-style habitats designed to replicate natural ecosystems.
Modern open-range zoos also support wildlife conservation breeding programs and animal welfare by giving animals larger living spaces that better resemble their natural environments.
Key Facts About the Largest Zoos by Land Area
- Conservation is a key purpose of modern large zoos.
- Zoos in this list are ranked by land size, not animal count.
- Safari parks like The Wilds and Monarto are among the largest in the world.
- Many large zoos focus on open habitats instead of traditional enclosures.
- The North Carolina Zoo is one of the biggest natural habitat zoos.
Conclusion
The largest zoos in the world are more than just tourist attractions. They are important centers for wildlife conservation, animal welfare and scientific research.
From The Wilds Safari Park in the USA to Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park in India and Monarto Safari Park in Australia, these zoos provide large natural habitats where animals can live in more natural environments.
Many of these zoos also support breeding programs and conservation efforts to protect endangered species.
Several work with global organizations like the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums to improve animal care and conservation worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions — Biggest Zoos in the World
The Wilds Safari Park is one of the largest wildlife conservation parks by land area, while the North Carolina Zoo is the largest accredited natural habitat zoo.
Zoos are important because they help protect endangered species, educate the public and support wildlife conservation programs.
Berlin Zoological Garden is generally considered the zoo with the largest number of animals in the world.
Zoos are facilities where animals are cared for, studied, and displayed for education, conservation and research purposes. Modern zoos also support breeding programs for endangered species.
Berlin Zoological Garden is also known for having one of the largest total animal populations, with more than 20,000 animals.
Zoos were originally created to showcase exotic animals owned by kings and wealthy rulers. Over time, their purpose has evolved into conservation, education and scientific research.
There is no exact official number, but estimates suggest there are more than 10,000 zoos and wildlife parks worldwide. This includes traditional zoos, safari parks, aquariums and conservation parks across different countries.
