The Zoo Dresden is Germany's fourth-oldest zoo. It was opened on the 9. May 1861. It is situated in the south-western part of the large garden. It houses over 2.000 animals of more than 300 species and has a size of circa 13 hectares. Animals from all continents await the visitor.

In last few years numerous animal facilities have been enlarged and modernised. The Orang-Utans got an outdoor area and the penguins a new facility. In addition several individual enclosures were combined as for example the South-American facility as well as the giraffe and zebra enclosure.

The foundation for the zoological garden was created in 1859. The landscape architect design was done by Peter Joseph Lenné. Responsible for the buildings was the architect Carl Adolph Canzler. After two years construction time the zoo opened finally in the year 1861. The first director was Albin Schoepf. From 1910 to 1934 there were several changes and restructuring under the guidance of Gustav Brandes.

After heavy destruction through the 2. World War the zoo reopened in the year  1946. Wolfgang Ulrich managed the zoo until the year 1973. In 1968 a zoo school opened.