The Zoological Garden in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a delightful place to visit for both travelers with children and history buffs. Located in the Quinta da Boa Vista, a public park that was once a part of the gardens of the São Cristóvão Palace, the Zoological Garden, also known as the Rio Zoo, boasts over 2,500 species of animals and sits virtually next door to the the National Museum, another of Brazil’s treasures. Once included in the estate of the nineteenth century Emperors of Brazil, the Quinta da Boa became home to the Zoological Garden.

The history of the land upon which the Garden and the Museum now sit holds a place of great importance to the city of Rio de Janeiro and the country of Brazil. Originally a Jesuit farm, the land now known as the Quinta da Boa Vista was divided up among private landlords when the Jesuits were expelled from Brazil in 1759. In 1803, a wealthy Portuguese merchant by the name of Elias António Lopes built a manor on the top of a hill located on his portion of this land. It was the view that the house provided of Guanabara Bay that led to it’s name. Boa Vista means “nice view” of the Quinta.

Five years later, in 1808, Prince Regent John VI and his court arrived in Rio. Lopes donated the farm and the house to the Prince. The house was renovated to accommodate the Royal family between 1816 and 1821. It was during this renovation that the gate that now graces the entrance to the Zoological Garden was added to the estate. The gate was actually a gift from Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland, and was sent from England to Brazil. It was also during this period that the house became known as Paço de São Cristóvão or the Palace of Saint Christopher.

When Brazil declared her independence, the Palace became the home of Emperor Pedro I and his family. The family continued renovations, adding a third floor as well as a tower. Maria II, the future Queen of Portugal was born in the house in 1819 and the future Pedro II of Brazil arrived in 1825. Princess Leopoldina of Austria, the wife of Pedro I died in the home that same year. It was Pedro II who ordered the renovation of the gardens which would later become the current home of Quinta da Boa Vista in 1869.

It was at this time that the artificial lakes, bridges and caves that adorn the grounds today were created. In 1846, Princess Isabel was born in the palace. In 1888, it was Isabel that abolished slavery in Brazil. When Brazil was declared a Republic, the Royal family returned to Portugal and the Palace sat empty for a time. It was in the palace in 1891 that the first Republican Constitution of Brazil was penned. In 1892, the Nacional Museum of Rio de Janeiro moved from the Campo de Santana to the Palace.

Also known as the Jardim Zoológico do Rio de Janeiro, the Zoological Garden is Rio de Janeiro’s oldest zoo. Founded in 1888, it is definetely the finest in Brazil. The majestic gate mentioned earlier graces the entrance to the zoo which is reached only after a delightful stroll through the Quinta da Boa Vista. The parque is lined with columns. Many have compared the entrance to those of the Budapest and Berlin Zoo’s. Once inside the zoo, visitor’s are usually surprised by the botanical displays that surround the animal enclosures. Royal Palms, many as tall as 25 metres provide shade for the zoo’s patrons while colorful flowers such as bird-of-paradise and red heliconia provide a brilliant contrast.

The Rio Zoo is liberally spread over approximately 30 acres and the 2,500 species of mammals, birds and reptiles provide plenty of variety. Two species, a female red-backed saki and a pair of dusky titis are extremely rare and native to Brazil. Another source of pride is the Rio Zoo’s Primate Centre. It is in this collection that a visitor is given the opportunity to see the yellow-throated capuchin, a very rare subspecies of the ordinary brown capuchin. It was the Rio Zoo which launched the captive-breeding project that was eventually responsible not only for these animals but for the ones on display in the Muhouse, Zurich and Chester Zoos. One of the most well-liked attractions, however, are obviously the orangutans and chimpanzees. In addition to the elephants and zebras, visitors to the Zoological Garden will also find many animals native to Brazil and has it’s share of the curious as well. A favorite among the children is the Tamandua Bandeira which resembles a skunk colored oversized ant-eater and the Nocturnal House, an exhibit that displays animals that prefer the dark of night such as sloth’s and bats.

In addition to the animals who call the Riozoo home and the history that permeates the land, the Zoological Garden has it’s share of folklore. It is said that the infamous Animal Game (“Jogo do Bicho”) was originally inspired by contests to raise money for the Zoo. The Jogo do Bicho is the illegal but officially ignored numbers racket run in Rio de Janeiro. It is also reported that the zoo’s residents are often caught up in the politics of the city. A resident of the zoo, a chimpanzee named “Tião,” placed third in a mayoral race while another zoo resident received nearly 400,000 write-in votes in an earlier election.

Currently there is only one building open to visitors at the Zoological Garden. That building houses the reptiles and fish as well as a gift-shop and restaurant. The restaurant is a favorite eating spot even among the locals and provides a self-service pay by weight fare. Both the Museu Nacional and the Zoological Garden are open from 9 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. The address of the Zoo is Parque Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristovão. Telephone: 3983-8400.

Other spots of interest located close by include the famous Maracana Stadium, the National Museum of Natural History, and the Solar Da Marquesa De Santos- Museu do Primeiro Reinado, the palace built by Dom Pedro I tho house his mistress. The two-story townhome is now a museum and is also open to the public.