Zoological Garden of Monaco

The Jardin Animalier de Monaco is a zoo located on the Esplanade Rainer III, in Monaco's Fontvieille ward, on the southern side of the Rock of Monaco.[1] It was established by Rainier III, Prince of Monaco in 1954.[1] 250 animals are held in the zoo, representing some 50 species.[1]

Zoological Garden of Monaco
43°43′52.62″N 7°25′5.83″E
Date opened	1954

The zoo is a hectare in size, set over four levels on the rock.[2] None of the animals were purchased; all have come from donations, circuses, or abandoned animals and those seized by circuses.[2] Five animals came to the zoo after the 2009 closure of the zoo at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.[2]

The zoo formerly contained leopards, but these were released into the wild due to the efforts of campaigner Virginia McKenna, founder of the Born Free Foundation.[3] The two leopards, Pitou and Sirius, had been kept in a five-meter enclosure with a concrete floor.[4] McKenna had previously visited Monaco nine times in an attempt to petition Prince Rainier for the animal's release, she was finally granted a royal audience with Prince Albert after his ascension to the Monegasque throne in 2005.[3] Albert agreed to release the leopards to Born Free, with a promise to release the camel and hippo in the zoo at a later date. Albert also promised to turn the Zoological Gardens into a petting zoo.[3]