Varna Zoo is located in the heart of the Sea Garden, adjacent to the Dolphinarium and the Natural History Museum. The first inhabitants of the zoo were Maxim the bear, gifted by sailors from the destroyer “G. Dimitrov” in 1956, and the noble deer Longoz. Before the bear enclosure was built, Maxim was chained to a single tree. He was moved to the bear enclosure in 1958. The zoo’s lakes are home to pink pelicans. Until 1973-74, animals were received from the Sofia Zoo and other zoos abroad — including kangaroos, llamas, panthers, penguins, and swans from Berlin. By 1994, the zoo housed around 50 species, with its oldest residents being Martin the camel (24 years old) and the bears Martin and Marga, born in 1972. Officially opened in 1961, Varna Zoo quickly became a favorite spot for both children and adults. It offers visitors a live exhibition of animal species, including birds, predators, herbivores, primates, and waterfowl. Address: Varna City, Saltanat Area No. 5 Phone: +359 52 820 613; +359 884 095 506 E-mail: info@varna-zoo.com Ticket office phone: +359 52 820 611