GeorgiaOfficial tourism
Tbilisi Zoo

Where flood-washed hope became reborn wilderness

Tbilisi Zoo

Why go

Tbilisi Zoo carries the weight of survival. In June 2015, a devastating flood killed more than half its animals and devastated the grounds; the city woke to heartbreaking images of a hippopotamus wandering flooded streets. Rather than abandon the site, Georgia rebuilt. The zoo reopened with modern enclosures, expanded conservation programs for Caucasian leopards and other endemic species, and a memorial to the animals lost. Today it stands as testament to Georgian resilience—neither glossy nor nostalgic, but honest about loss while nurturing endangered life. The hillside location above the Mtkvari River gives unexpected views through the enclosures.

On the ground See

  • The Caucasian leopard breeding program, one of few globally attempting to restore this critically endangered mountain cat
  • The 2015 Flood Memorial, where photographs and names honor the animals that perished
  • The elevated walkway through the upper zone, where red deer and wild boar roam against Tbilisi's urban backdrop

Practical Know before you go

Open daily 10am–6pm; upper entrance via Heroes' Square avoids the steep climb from the riverbank, and spring visits coincide with birthing season for several species.

Last reviewed 25 August 2026 · reviewed quarterly