The Călărași Zoo (Grădina Zoologică Călărași) is a zoological garden in the Dumbrava Park in Călărași, housing a diverse collection of native and exotic animals. Its outdoor enclosures accommodate large mammals, birds, and smaller species, while a dedicated aquaterrarium houses fish and reptiles.
The zoo opened on June 1, 1980, under the direction of Gheorghe Tatavura, whose private collection of exotic birds and several species of mammals formed the basis of its first exhibits. Initially established near the lake in Dumbrava Park, the zoo soon expanded and moved to larger grounds. Its development was interrupted on February 3, 1985, when severe flooding inundated the facilities and killed approximately 80% of the animals. Surviving animals were rescued by staff and local residents, with some temporarily sheltered in buildings elsewhere in the city.
Following the disaster, the zoo rebuilt its animal collection with assistance from other zoological gardens and developed an extensive program of animal exchanges. During the 1990s, it became particularly known for breeding Siberian tigers and jaguars, producing more than 60 offspring over a decade. Some were transferred to other zoos in Romania and abroad in exchange for additional species. The collection continued to develop through the addition of new enclosures and specialized facilities.
Visitors can see large cats, bears, monkeys, deer, llamas, ostriches, and a variety of other animals. The bird collection includes parrots, peacocks, waterbirds, and birds of prey, while the aquaterrarium houses exotic fish, snakes, turtles, and other reptiles. One of the zoo’s best-known inhabitants is Cooper, a hippopotamus that has lived in Călărași since the 1980s. The zoo also has a children’s playground and organizes educational activities.
