Parc Zoologique de Paris, also known as the Paris Zoo, is a historic landmark and a popular tourist destination located in the heart of the French capital, Paris. This iconic zoo was first established in 1934 and spans over 14.5 hectares of land within the Bois de Vincennes, the city's largest public park. Originally intended as a showcase for animals from France's colonies, the Paris Zoo underwent a significant transformation in the 1980s, shifting its focus to conservation and education. The zoo was closed in 2008 for extensive renovations and reopened in 2014 with a renewed commitment to animal welfare and environmental preservation. The Paris Zoo is divided into five biozones, each representing a different global ecosystem: Patagonia, Sahel-Sudan, Europe, Amazon-Guyana and Madagascar. Each zone is designed to mimic the natural habitats of the animals, with meticulously crafted landscapes, flora, and fauna. The exterior of the Paris Zoo is a blend of natural beauty and architectural splendour. The zoo's most recognizable feature is the 65 meters high "Big Rock" (Le Grand Rocher), a man-made mountain that provides a striking backdrop to the zoo and houses animals like snow leopards and Barbary macaques. As you enter, you are greeted by the sight of flamingos in the large pond, and as you delve deeper, you traverse through the various zones, each offering a unique mix of wildlife and vegetation. The Sahel-Sudan zone, for instance, is home to giraffes and rhinoceros, while the Patagonia zone houses penguins and sea lions. The interior of the zoo is just as impressive, with state-of-the-art animal enclosures designed to prioritize animal well-being. The Madagascar biozone, for example, features a vivarium where visitors can observe various species of lemurs in an environment that closely resembles their natural habitat. An interesting fact about the Paris Zoo is that during World War II, due to food shortages, some of the zoo's animals had to be slaughtered and their meat was used to feed other animals and even the local population. Today, the Parc Zoologique de Paris serves as a sanctuary for over 1,000 animals, making it a must-visit for animal lovers and conservation enthusiasts. It's a testament to Paris's commitment to preserving biodiversity and promoting environmental consciousness.