Suzhou Zoo

Suzhou Zoo, also known as Suzhou Shangfangshan Forest Animal World or Suzhou Shangfangshan Forest Zoo, is located at the southern foot of Shangfangshan in the southwest of Suzhou. There are more than 100 species of animals in the Suzhou Zoo, 54 percent of which are endangered. Two of the world’s three known living Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtles are in this zoo, which are the only hope to save the Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle.

According to different animals’ living habits, different types of ecological areas are established to simulate natural animal habitats, respectively: Birds Area No.1, Herbivore Area No.1, Primate Area, Herbivore Area No.2, Beast Area, South Chinese Tiger Area, Amphibian Area and Birds Area No.2. Various kinds of rare forest animals such as golden monkey, Bengal white tiger, flamingo, blue Peacock and ring-tailed Lemur give you a feast of forest animals for your eyes. In addition, the zoo has built a playground for children to enjoy themselves.
 

Birds Area No.1 is located in the southeast of the Suzhou Zoo and area No.2 is in northeast corner. There are many kinds of rare birds on display, among which the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw and flamingo are the representative animals in the two bird areas. Birds in area No.1 are more adapted to living in swamps and water. Area No. 2 keeps unusual and rare birds. As Blue-and-Yellow Macaw’s name suggests, this kind of parrot has a yellow body and blue feathers. It’s easily domesticated and adapted to captivity, so it has long been on display in zoos around the world. Besides, red-crowned crane, wreathed hornbill and cinereous vulture are well worth seeing.
 

Herbivore Area No.1 is located in the middle of the Shangfangshan Forest Zoo and No.2 is in western part. Many first class protected herbivores in the country are on display in both areas. You can see zebras, giraffe, alpacas, Bactrian camels, takins, Asian elephants, and sika deer here. The zebra is one of the world’s most endangered protected animals. They originally live in the tropical forest grassland region, and have no fixed habitat, wandering every day while foraging. Zebra’s pregnancy is about 11.5 months, and gives birth to only one baby per litter.
 

It is located in the southwest of the Suzhou Zoo. Primate is the most advanced group in the animal kingdom. In this area you can watch the golden monkey, ring-tailed lemur, yellow-baboon, mandrill and squirrel monkey. The golden monkey is a unique animal in China, listed as a national level of protection animals. They usually inhabit in high mountains and dense forests between 1,500 and 3,000 meters (4,900 and 9,800 feet) above sea level. Only one baby is born per litter, and the life expectancy is generally 16 to 18 years. The ring-tailed lemur is one of the world’s most endangered animals. They get their name from their black and white ring tails. They are the most brightly colored of the lemurs.
 

Located in the north of the Suzhou Zoo, in this best area you can see up close fierce animals that you don’t often encounter in life, such as African lion, Bengal tiger, black leopard, wolf and sun bear. The African lion and black leopard are the world’s endangered animals. The African lion is the largest cat and the most ferocious beast in Africa. The black leopard is a variant of the panther, which usually preys alone.
 

The south Chinese tiger is first class national protected animal. In 1992, it was listed as the top ten endangered species by the Chinese Wildlife Protection Organization. They are mainly distributed in south and east China. The south Chinese tiger usually live in mountain forests and dense thickets and weeds, fierce by nature and usually live alone.
 

This area is located in the center of the Suzhou Zoo where you can see some snakes like gold python and red-tailed boa, and giant lizard, Chinese alligator and Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtles. There is also a Habitat Pavilion in this area, adopting simulated environment, video projection and 360° phantom imaging to let visitors experience the beauty of ecological environment and understand the importance of animal protection, and let children get closer to nature through a variety of interactive games.