Riyadh Zoo, situated in the al-Malazz neighborhood of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is the largest and one of the oldest public zoos in the kingdom, covering 55 acres and welcoming around 600,000 visitors annually. Originally established in 1957 as a private menagerie and opened to the public in 1987, the zoo today houses more than 1,500 animals representing approximately 196 species, including several endangered Saudi Arabian species such as the Arabian desert leopard, Arabian oryx, and houbara bustard. Visitors can also encounter kangaroos, wallabies, pelicans, scarlet macaws, cockatoos, griffon vultures, seals, and many other exotic creatures from around the world. A scenic train ride allows guests to tour the different sections of the zoo with ease, and expanded interactive experiences have been introduced in recent years, making Riyadh Zoo an outstanding educational and family destination in the Saudi capital.
