Bioparco

Yes, Rome has a zoo. It is a zoological garden with more than 1,000 animals located on the original site of the Villa Borghese. Open since 1911, it began as a place to collect and display animals in danger of extinction. Paths winding through the park allow visitors to observe lions, elephants, tigers, monkeys, and giraffes, among others. There is also a small barnyard area with goats, pigs, cows, and other livestock. Most notably the bio-park is home to a rare Kleinmann’s tortoise, which was rescued from a smuggler's suitcase in 2005.

Bioparco has been renovated and renamed from its original construction to illustrate its commitment to ecological practices and scientific knowledge. There is a small lake with seating to relax as well as a children’s area. All in all there are more than 200 species on the 17 hectares of zoo land here. It is one of Europe’s oldest zoos still in operation.