List of former zoos and aquariums
This is an annotated list of zoos and aquariums that once existed, but are no more.
Accra Zoo
Accra Zoo, in Accra, Ghana, was originally a private zoo built in the 1960s by the first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah at the Flagstaff House, but was later turned into a public zoo. All of the animals at the zoo were moved to the newly created Kumasi Zoo in 2006.African Lion Safari, Warragamba
The African Lion Safari was a wildlife park that Stafford Bullen opened in 1969. It operated near Warragamba on the outskirts of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia until 1991.Ager Zoo
Ager Zoo was located in Lincoln Nebraska, United States. At one time it was one of three zoos in Lincoln. It was closed in 1980 when a study commissioned by the city determined that its facilities were substandard.Aqualand
Aqualand was a zoo located in Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States. In the 1960s and 1970s it attracted some 72,000 visitors each year. It closed its doors in 1989 and was purchased by the owners of Peck's Wildwood in 1992.Belle Isle Zoo, Detroit
The Belle Isle Zoo was a zoo located on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It opened in 1895 with a few deer and a bear. Control of the facility passed to the Detroit Zoo in 1941. The original zoo closed in 2002, but in 2005, the Detroit Zoo opened the Belle Isle Nature Center at the former zoo on the island.Belle Vue Zoological Gardens
Belle Vue Zoological Gardens was a large zoo, amusement park, exhibition hall complex and speedway stadium in Belle Vue, Manchester, England, that opened in 1836. The gardens closed down in phases, with the speedway closing last in November 1987.Barnum's Aquarial Gardens
Barnum's Aquarial Gardens in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, was a public aquarium, zoo, and performance space located on Washington Street in the Financial District. P.T. Barnum bought the Boston Aquarial and Zoological Gardens in 1862, remodeled the space, changed the name of the business, and reopened the collections to the public in June.Boston Aquarial and Zoological Gardens
The Boston Aquarial and Zoological Gardens in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, featured a public aquarium and zoo. It was located in the Financial District on Central Court. On display were "hundreds of specimens of the finny tribe there to be seen sporting in their native element, in all their variety of hue and shape" as well as other animals. James Ambrose Cutting and Henry D. Butler ran the business, derived from an earlier incarnation known as the Boston Aquarial Gardens.Bowmanville Zoo
Bowmanville Zoo, in Clarington, Ontario was the oldest private zoo in North America. It closed after its owner was charged with several counts of animal abuse.Buenos Aires Zoo
Buenos Aires Zoo, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, contained 89 species of mammals, 49 species of reptiles and 175 species of birds, with a total of over 2,500 animals. In June 2016 the city formed a bias about the zoo's cruelty. They had to close the 140-year-old zoo and relocate most of the animals to nature reserves, including Temaikèn. The zoo property will be converted into an ecopark.Bullen's Animal World
Bullen's Animal World was a circus style theme park located at Wallacia on the outskirts of Sydney, Australia. Its address was 11 Park Road, Wallacia.Catskill Game Farm
Catskill Game Farm was a zoo in Catskill, New York, United States. It was opened in 1933 by Roland Lindemann, and was eventually home to about 2,000 animals representing more than 150 species. It closed permanently on Columbus Day 2006 after 73 years of operation.Clacton Pier Dolphinarium
The Clacton Pier Dolphinarium was originally designed as an Olympic sized public swimming pool, and opened in 1932. The pool was closed to the public in 1971 due to falling income, and converted to a dolphinarium. The dolphins were all moved out of the facility in 1979 when a storm severely damaged the tank on New Year's Day. After storm damage was repaired, the facility continued to be used. Nemo, the last orca at the facility, was moved to Windsor Safari Park on June 26, 1985. A slide was installed after Nemo left, and the facility was used as a water park until at least 1988.Clifton Fish Aquarium
The Clifton Fish Aquarium was located in Clifton near Abdullah Shah Ghazi's shrine in Karachi, Pakistan. It was opened in 1965.Dierenpark Tilburg
Dierenpark Tilburg was a zoo at the Bredaseweg in Tilburg, Netherlands. The park opened its doors in 1932 as a wedding present from Johan Burgers to his daughter and her husband from Tilburg. In 1946 the park was sold to C. van Dijk & Sons, who helped to develop it. The park was closed in 1973.Discovery Island at Walt Disney World Resort
Discovery Island was an island in Bay Lake at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. Between 1974 and 1999, the island was open to guests. Disney originally named it "Treasure Island", and later "Discovery Island". Here, guests could observe the island's many species of animal and birds. It was closed to guests once Discovery Island was opened at Disney's Animal Kingdom.Dusit Zoo
Dusit Zoo was in Bangkok, Thailand, and was open from 1938 to 2018.Eastlake Zoo
Eastlake Zoo, owned by the city of Los Angeles, opened in East Los Angeles Park in 1885.Ferme Angrignon
The Ferme Angrignon, or Angrignon Farm, is a petting zoo in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Established in 1990 and administered by the Jardin Botanique de Montreal, the farm is located in Parc Angrignon, just outside the Angrignon subway station. It is home to over 20 species of farm animal. The farm is currently closed and its reopening is uncertain: there is no plan to reopen it in 2011.Gatwick Zoo
Gatwick Zoo was opened in 1973 by Terry and Sheila Thorpe and was closed in September 2002. The 11.4-acre zoo was home to around 900 birds and mammals, which were relocated to Chessington Zoo, Colchester Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo and Leeds Castle.Gay's Lion Farm
Gay's Lion Farm was a public selective breeding facility and tourist attraction located at the south-east junction of Peck Road and Valley Boulevard in El Monte, California, United States. It operated from 1925 through 1942, but closed due to wartime meat shortages, in what was thought at the time to be a temporary situation. However, it never reopened.Glasgow Zoo
Glasgow Zoo opened in 1947 in Glasgow, Scotland. During the 56 years it was open, it was home to tigers, lions, polar bears, elephants, and animals big and small alike. It was closed in September 2003.Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary
Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary was established for Australian wildlife in the South Bank Parklands, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, following World Expo 88. In the latter half of 2005, the sanctuary was closed and dismantled and an office and retail store were built.Griffith Park Zoo
Griffith Park Zoo was the predecessor to the current Los Angeles Zoo. It opened in 1912 and was located about south of the current zoo site until it was closed in August, 1966 and the animals were moved to the new Los Angeles Zoo. Remnants of Griffith Park Zoo remain.Hacienda Nápoles
Hacienda Nápoles was a luxurious estate built and owned by Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar in Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia, Colombia. The estate covers about of land, and included a complete zoo housing animals from many continents, such as giraffes, ostriches, elephants, hippopotamuses, ponies, antelope, and exotic birds. The government of Columbia took over the estate after Escobar died, and most of the animals were shipped elsewhere.Heaven's Corner
Heaven's Corner was a non-profit, USDA-licensed and certified zoo and animal sanctuary located in West Alexandria, Ohio, United States. It closed down in 2015 because of a law that passed on exotic animals in Ohio that year.High Delta Safari Park
The High Delta Drive Thru Safari Park was a safari park located in Delhi, Louisiana, United States, that featured exotic and endangered species. It was auctioned off due to bankruptcy on 21 November 2009.Hobart Zoo
The Hobart Zoo was an old-fashioned zoological gardens located on the Queens Domain in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.Inubōsaki Marine Park
was located in Chōshi, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, and closed in 2018.Jungleland USA
Jungleland USA was a theme park in Thousand Oaks, California, United States, on the current site of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. It closed in October 1969, in part because of competition from other Southern California amusement parks, such as Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood.Jurong Reptile Park
The Jurong Reptile Park was a reptile zoo located within the Boon Lay Planning Area of the Jurong district in Singapore.The zoo was closed in 2006 because of other more popular zoos in Singapore such as Jurong Bird Park and the Singapore Zoo. The site is now occupied by The Village @ Jurong Hill.
Kjøbenhavns Aquarium
:File:Kjøbenhavns Akvarium by Oluf W. Jørgensen, before 1875.jpg|Kjøbenhavns Aquarium at Vesterbrogade 33 in Copenhagen, Denmark, was designed in 1872 by Theodor Stuckenberg, and rebuilt in 1875 by Christian L. Thuren as a restaurant. It was demolished in 1877.Knaresborough Zoo
Knaresborough Zoo was a zoo in Conyngham Park, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England. It was opened in 1965 and closed on 13 January 1986.La Fontaine Park
La Fontaine Park is a urban park located in Montreal's Plateau Mont-Royal district. At one time it had a small children's zoo, which closed in 1989.Lai Chi Kok Zoo
Lai Chi Kok Zoo was located in Hong Kong.Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle is built on islands in a lake formed by the River Len to the east of the village of Leeds. An aviary was added in 1980 and by 2011 it contained over 100 species. However, it was decided to close the aviary in October 2012 as it was felt the charity managing the castle could better use the £200,000 a year it cost to keep the aviary running.Lion Country Safari, Cincinnati, Ohio
, in the town of Mason, Ohio, United States, operated a drive-through zoo called Lion Country Safari, which became Wild Animal Habitat between 1974 and 1993.Lion Country Safari, Grand Prairie, Texas
Another Lion Country Safari operated in Grand Prairie, Texas between 1971 and 1992. The park would often close in spring due to flooding. The property remains undeveloped as of 2011 due to being in a floodplain.Lion Country Safari, Irvine, California
Another Lion Country Safari existed in Irvine, California, United States until 1984. The California park was designed by R. Duell & Associates. Lion Country was founded and headed up by South African CEO Harry Shuster of United Leisure in 1968. The first park opened in Florida in 1969, and the second park, in California, opened in June 1970.Lion Country Safari, Richmond, Virginia
, located in the town of Doswell, Virginia, United States, operated another Lion Country Safari from 1974 before the park's opening in 1975 through the fall of 1993.Little River Zoo
Little River Zoo was a zoo in Norman, Oklahoma, United States. In 2010 it held about 400 animals. It closed in March 2011.Manchester Zoological Gardens
The Manchester Zoological Gardens opened in 1838, on a site between Broom Lane and Northumberland Street in Broughton, Salford, England.[|Manito] Park and Zoo
Manito Park and Zoo opened in 1905, in Spokane, Washington, United States. It was forced to close during the height of the Great Depression in 1932. Many of the animals were shot, including three bison and two grizzly bears. The surrounding park absorbed what was once the zoo, and it remains one of the most prominent parks of the city. All attempts to bring another multifaceted zoo to the Spokane area have failed to the present day.Marapana Wildlife Park
Marapana Wildlife Park was a zoo located in Karnup, Western Australia, an outer suburb of Perth. It was home to wombats, dingoes, pythons, kangaroos, deer, emu, saltwater crocodiles, and other animals. It was forced to close on 8 May 2011 when a yellow sand mine took over the property.Marineland, Napier
Marineland, Napier or Marineland of New Zealand was a marine mammal park in Napier, New Zealand. The park opened in 1965 and closed to the public in September 2008.Marine World/Africa USA
Marine World/Africa USA was a tourist attraction located in Redwood Shores, California, United States. The park was named Marine World when it first opened.The park moved in 1986 to Vallejo, California, to eventually become Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. The land of the former Marine World/Africa U.S.A. is now occupied by the world headquarters of Oracle Corporation.
Marineland of the Pacific
Marineland of the Pacific was a public oceanarium and tourist attraction located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula coast in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It opened in 1954 and was closed in 1987.ME's Zoo
ME's Zoo was a privately owned zoo in Parker City, Indiana, United States. The zoo covered over, and was home to more than 300 animals. ME's Zoo was especially popular in the weeks preceding Christmas, when the zoo grounds were decorated with more than 200,000 lights. The zoo closed on September 27, 2009.Muskingum County Animal Farm
Muskingum County Animal Farm was a private zoo located in Zanesville, Ohio, United States. It closed in 2011 when the owner released the animals and committed suicide, having been frequently reported for cruelty to its residents.Okanagan Game Farm
The Okanagan Game Farm was a private zoo located in Kaleden, British Columbia, a small community approximately south of Penticton, British Columbia. The park closed on March 31, 1999 after 33 years in operation.Oxford Zoo
Oxford Zoo was a zoo in Kidlington, just north of the city of Oxford in Oxfordshire, England. It was opened in 1931/2 and closed in 1937.Penscynor Wildlife Park
Penscynor Wildlife Park was a wildlife and safari park located near Neath in South Wales. It opened in 1971 and closed in 1998.Perry Wildlife Zoo
A zoo located in Wardensville, West Virginia that served as a local post office until the 1800s. In the 1980s, it opened as a general store, and later as Perry Wildlife Zoo. After the zoo closed in 2013, the property was purchased by a young couple, and later became a chicken farm.Peshwe Park
Peshwe Park was a small zoo opened in 1953 by the Pune Municipal Corporation where Madhavrao Peshwe had established a private menagerie in 1870. Located in the heart of Pune, India at the base of the Parvati hills, this zoo exhibited animals in traditional cages. Starting in 1997, the animals were gradually moved to the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, the last animal being moved out on 16 March 2005.Philadelphia Aquarium
The Philadelphia Aquarium, one of the first aquariums in the United States, was located on the shore of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia's decommissioned Fairmount Water Works buildings from 1911 to 1962 as part of Fairmount Park.Pier 54 Aquarium
The Pier 54 Aquarium was opened by Ivar Haglud as the Pier 3 Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States in 1938. It was renamed during World War II. It closed in 1956.Rainbow Springs State Park
Rainbow Springs State Park is a Florida State Park located on U.S. 41, three miles north of Dunnellon, Florida. There used to be a small zoo complex in the gardens. Some of the facilities still exist but are no longer used.St. Paul at Chittenden Locks
St. Paul at Chittenden Locks was a ship converted to an aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States.Scarborough Zoo
Scarborough Zoo was in operation between 1969 and 1984, based in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England.Seattle Marine Aquarium
Seattle Marine Aquarium was a private aquarium owned and operated by Ted Griffin and located on Pier 56 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The aquarium closed in 1977, the same year that the Seattle Aquarium opened on Pier 59.Under founder Ted Griffen, the aquarium was home to seven captured orcas, four named, and three unnamed.
SeaWorld Ohio
SeaWorld Ohio was a park in the SeaWorld chain of marine animal theme parks. The park opened in 1970 directly across from Geauga Lake in Aurora, Ohio, United States. In 2001, SeaWorld sold the park to Six Flags, combining it with Geauga Lake to form Six Flags Worlds of Adventure. The park was completely demolished after the 2004 season and was rebuilt into Wildwater Kingdom for the 2005 season.Selig Zoo
Selig Zoo was a combination movie studio and zoo located next to Lincoln Park, Los Angeles. It was opened in 1915 by "Colonel" William Selig.Senning's Park
Senning's Park was a park located across New Cut Road from Iroquois Park in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, on the site of present-day Colonial Gardens. It was the site of the first zoo in the city.Seven Seas Marine Life Park
Seven Seas Marine Life Park was a marine mammal park and animal theme park built and owned by the city of Arlington, Texas, United States. The park opened on March 18, 1972.The city council of Arlington voted to close the park in 1976 because it did not generate enough revenue to both pay its operating expenses and pay off the bonded indebtedness. The Arlington Sheraton Hotel now stands on this property.
Singapore Crocodile Farm
Singapore Crocodile Farm was located on Upper Serangoon Road in Singapore. This facility was started in 1945 by Tan Gna Chua, and was eventually opened to the public. It was closed in 2012.Slater Park Zoo
Slater Park Zoo in Slater Park, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States, was closed in 1993.Soco Gardens Zoo
Soco Gardens Zoo was a private zoo in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, United States, that closed in October 2005 after being in operation for more than 50 years.South Boston Aquarium
The South Boston Aquarium was opened in Boston, Massachusetts, United States in 1912, and was closed in 1954.Southport Zoo
Southport Zoo was in Merseyside, England.Stanley Park Zoo
Stanley Park Zoo was located in Stanley Park, bordering downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was closed in 1996.Surrey Zoological Gardens
Surrey Zoological Gardens was a zoo located in the Royal Surrey Gardens in Kennington, London, England. The gardens were acquired in 1831 by impresario Edward Cross to be the location of his new Surrey Zoological Gardens, using animals from his menagerie at Exeter Exchange, in competition with the new London Zoo in Regent's Park. A large circular domed glass conservatory was built in the gardens, in circumference, with more than of glass, to contain separate cages for lions, tigers, a rhinoceros, and giraffes.After Cross's death, the animals were sold off in 1856 to build Surrey Music Hall in the gardens.
Tel Aviv Zoo
Tel Aviv Zoo was in Tel Aviv, Israel, and was open from 1938 to 1981.Tift Park Zoo
Tift Park Zoo was located in Albany, Georgia, United States. It was closed in 1977 when all of the animals were moved to the Chehaw Wild Animal Park.Triangle Metro Zoo
Triangle Metro Zoo was a privately owned and operated zoo that was open from 1998 until 2006. It was located in Wake Forest, North Carolina, United States. The zoo originated from Larry Seibel's long experience in breeding exotic animals, and was opened in 1998. It was situated in a heavily forested area astride a small stream. Its name derives from the area of North Carolina in which the zoo was located, which is called "the Triangle" because it comprises the three larger cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.Shortly after the zoo opened in 1998, the barn containing the gift shop and restrooms burned down, and was never rebuilt. The owner cited lack of facilities at the zoo due to this fire, which prevented him from putting up a permanent sign on Capital Boulevard, as one of many factors that led to the lack of funds for the zoo and its eventual closure.
Seibel closed the zoo in February 2006, citing money and personal problems, as well as encroaching development that would require him to fence the entire property. After the zoo closed, the Bengal tiger Raja, who Seibel and staff had rescued from neglectful owners, was moved to the Carnivore Preservation Trust in Pittsboro, North Carolina after having first been quarantined at the North Carolina Zoo. Other animals were transferred to various private collections and zoos.
The zoo was home to some 500 animals representing 85 species. Mammals at the zoo included a Bengal tiger, blackbuck, Himalayan moon bears, camels, capybara, caracals, coati, donkeys, fallow deer, red kangaroos, lemurs, lions, llama, scimitar oryx, muntjac, sloths, servals, and zebras. Birds included chickens, sarus cranes, red-crowned cranes, blue-and-gold macaws, scarlet macaws, military macaws, doves, emu, ostriches, pheasants, pigeons, toucans. Reptiles included leopard geckos, bearded dragons, and various species of skinks and snakes.