Pyongyang Zoo
The Central Zoo is situated at the foot of Mt. Taesong in the suburbs of Pyongyang.
President Kim Il Sung chose its site and took measures for the state to complete it. It opened in April Juche 48 (1959).
The zoo covers an area of over 100 hectares, where some 550,000 shrubs and tall trees of 75 species grow to form groves and thickets reminiscent of a large pleasure park.
It has monkey houses built with natural beauty, an aquarium and more than 50 animal houses including those for elephants and birds. There are also a ground for training performing animals, animals’ playgrounds and a waterbird pond.
The zoo has more than 6,000 animals of over 650 species delighting spectators; they are animals indigenous to Korea and rare animals throughout the world.
In the zoo there are gift animals presented to President Kim Il Sung and the leader
Kim Jong Il by the heads of state and prominent figures of many countries, and the house of gift animals presented to Kim Jong Il by a Swedish figure.
The animal-rearing research institute, the epizootic prevention center and the animal-breeder training center ensure that the zoo acquits itself creditably of its roles as a recreation center for the people, an animal breeding center and a scientific research institute.
Korea Pictorial, Pyongyang, DPRK
Juche 91 (2002)