LEIPZIG ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN

also called Leipzig Zoo, German Zoologischer Garten Leipzig, zoological garden in Leipzig, Ger., noted for its carnivore collection. The zoo was opened in 1878 and taken over by the city in 1920. Occupying a 22-hectare (54-acre) site, the zoo maintains about 5,000 specimens of approximately 600 species. With big cats as its main specialty, the Leipzig Zoo has bred more than 2,000 lions and 250 rare Siberian tigers, as well as hundreds of bears and hyenas.