Organization

Barcelona Zoo celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2012. The Zoo first opened its doors to the public on the Festival of the Mercè in 1892, Barcelona's patron saint's day on 24 September, on a site that had been part of the 1888 Universal Exposition in the Parc de la Ciutadella. A number of generations have passed through this site and have undoubtedly experienced very thrilling moments, unforgettable sequences that are repeated over the years, as the children of yesterday are the parents and grandparents of today.
 
Although zoos were initially conceived solely as showcases for exotic fauna, modern zoos are very far removed from this now-forgotten concept. Their mission now is geared towards the conservation of nature everywhere and the fight against the loss of habitats as well as becoming reservoirs of biodiversity. They have also become a space for family leisure and are, consequently, an important tool in the strategy for raising awareness and the conservation of the most endangered fauna.
 
Throughout these years, the Zoo has steadily evolved to adapt to the social realities that demanded its orientation and dedication to its principal mission, which it has itself strengthened: research, the conservation of species under threat of extinction and education and dissemination.
 
As a result, Barcelona Zoo today is an educating, awareness-raising, pioneering and benchmark zoo in the Mediterranean that is firmly committed to combating the global threats to biodiversity and to promoting sustainability.
 
The Zoo is facing the future prepared for the new challenges with the strong desire to continue in its role as a benchmark and cornerstone in the defence and conservation of biodiversity, basic concepts set out in the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy.
 
To summarise the 120 years of its history, the Zoo today:
 
• Is home to 2,200 individuals from over 315 species in 13.5 hectares.
• Is visited every year by more than 1 million people.
• Has 33,000 family members of the Zoo Club, representing 100,000 people.
• Participates in numerous European and international endangered species awareness and conservation programmes.
• Promotes a programme of conservation and research grants and provides support to universities and researchers all over the world.
• Carries out conservation projects with autochthonous and allochthonous fauna in collaboration with other administrations and zoological organisations.
 
To mark this 120th anniversary, Barcelona Zoo is planning a full and varied programme of events so that young and old can celebrate this milestone and share in the memories of this long history.