The zoo was established in 1925, making it nearly a century old.
It is built directly into the side of San Cristóbal Hill, requiring significant uphill walking.
The zoo participates in international breeding programs for the Andean condor.
It houses the smallest deer species in the world, the southern pudu.
The zoo grounds cover approximately 4.8 hectares of the larger Parque Metropolitano.
It features a specific Chilean fauna section dedicated to endemic species found only in the country.
The National Zoo of Chile, located within the Parque Metropolitano de Santiago, is the country's primary public zoo. It occupies a steep hillside site on the slopes of San Cristóbal Hill, utilizing the natural terrain for animal enclosures. The collection emphasizes both native Chilean species and a variety of exotic animals from other continents. It functions as a center for the conservation of endangered endemic species, including the Andean condor and the pudu. The zoo is vertically oriented, with pathways winding up the hillside to provide panoramic views of the Santiago valley. Several species are kept in enclosures designed to mimic their natural habitats within the forest environment of the park. It serves as a pedagogical facility for biology and conservation studies in the capital region.
The upper observation platforms that offer a clear foreground of the zoo landscape with the Santiago city skyline in the background.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes to navigate the steep, paved paths.
Bring a refillable water bottle, as the uphill climb is physically demanding.
Plan your visit to work your way downhill after starting at the higher sections to save energy.
Avoid visiting during the peak heat of summer afternoons, as many animals seek shelter and shade, making them difficult to spot.
Closed on most Mondays for maintenance.
Do not feed or attempt to touch the animals; maintain a quiet volume near habitats to reduce animal stress.
