I have been here with Helga since 1983, so I do not remember much but we know from those who do that the ZOO was opened by Mr. Grác in 1949, and established even one year before.

At the beginning there were just a few animals on an area of about 1 hectare. From the very beginning the director’s office was in the office block that had survived from pre-war times. Mr. Grác became the director, and was in this position to 1965. In the 1950´s - 1970´s the ZOO hosted a lot of rare species, e.g.:
Malayan sun bear (the first and only one in the Czech Republic in the 50´s), chamois (the first captive breeding in the 70´s, with totally 10 young ones of this species which is difficult to breed in captivity were born and reared in the ZOO).

Around 1970 under the directorship of Mr. Kočí, this ZOO became famous particularly for its breeding of chamois. The first chamois ever born in Bohemia in captivity came into world right here in our ZOO. There was also a lot of bears - European or Asian ones. It was also this ZOO where the first capybara, babirusa or gemsbock born in captivity in Bohemia and Slovakia saw the light of day. Briefly speaking the ZOO was quite successful. Nevertheless it might have been even better when our ZOO directors had more money, and could built enclosures, pens and runs for all their animals in which they could feel happy as we do, i.e. me and Helga in our enclosure.

Today the ZOO keeps about 110 species on an area of more than 6 hectares. Except for us there livemore than 330 hairy, feathered and scaly friends Every year 50 000 - 60 000 visitors come to see us. Of course, I do not count them, it is the job of our ticket clerk. But I think that the visitors like the ZOO because they really can see a lot of things there. I am sure that they meet lots of animals for the first time right here in our ZOO. Helga and me, we are sometimes also surprised what our director and zoologist are able to acquire. Once it can be an absolutely hairless pig, then a porcupine living on trees or a dwarf cattle unable to provide meat for a single dinner. It may be their intention - to introduce animals that can be otherwise hardly seen.

First captive breedings in Děčín ZOO 1962 – Madrill, Roe deer 1963 – Sika deer 1965 – Common crane 1970 – Sooty mangabey, South African oryx antelope, Gemsbok 1972 – Axolotl 1973 – Chamois 1977 – Ibex 1987 – Capybara 1993 – Grizzly 1995 – Black-tailed prairie dog 1997 – Babirusa  1999 - Mountain anoa 2000 - Mountain goat 2001 - European mink 2001 - Lesser Malay mouse deer

Rare species living in the Děčín ZOO now:

Mountain anoa, Babirusa, European mink , Mountain goat, Vicuna, North american porcupine, Black-cheeked white nosed monkey, Hog deer , Japanese green pigeon, Red lory.