Oldest Continuously Operating Zoo in the World

Established in 1752 as an imperial menagerie for Emperor Francis I on the grounds of Vienna's Schoenbrunn Palace, Tiergarten Schoenbrunn opened its gates to the general public in 1779. It has operated without interruption ever since, earning it Guinness World Records recognition as the oldest zoo still in operation anywhere. In 1906 it became the site of the first elephant born in captivity.