Located 10 minutes off the Center of Porto, in Vila Nova de Gaia, Zoo Santo Inácio is the largest and greenest zoological park in the north of the country, having been visited since its opening by about 2 million people. Currently, approximately 600 animals of 200 species, from 5 continents live in the Zoo. The protection of wildlife and animal welfare are the main concern of Zoo Santo Inácio. In this sense, all the species welcomed by the Zoo live in green and wide environments, designed in order to recreate the original habitats, providing them with the best comfort conditions so that they can remain healthy and with genuine behaviors. In 2000, the Zoo opened doors with the aim of bringing the community closer to Nature and Wildlife, alerting to the growing importance of the Conservation of Species of Fauna and Flora from all over the world. In 2004 it became a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), in 2006 was one of the founders of the Portuguese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (APZA) and is one of the few national Zoos that, in partnership with EAZA, participates in European Programs Preservation of Endangered Species - EEP. In 2014, Zoo Santo Inácio became part of the Thoiry Group, to which the Thoiry Zoo Safari belong and the Safari de Peaugres, increasing the strength of the movement in favor of Nature Conservation. Zoo Santo Inácio participates in more than 40 EEP Programs, involving more than 150 animals and having already favored the birth of more than 90. Raising the population's awareness of the protection and conservation of wild species is one of the main objectives of Zoo Santo Inácio and, as a consequence, active participation in Nature Conservation, especially of Species that are Endangered or in the brick of Extinction, constitutes our great mission.
