The Dushanbe authorities have not yet decided on a new place for construction of a new zoo.  As planned, the only capital zoo, which is in poor condition, will be moved there. 

Answering the question from Asia-Plus, Deputy Mayor of Dushanbe, Jamshed Tabarov, told reporters in Dushanbe on July 26 that that the issue of the location of the new zoo remains open.   

“We still can't decide where to move the zoo.  Therefore, it is still premature to speak about the beginning of construction of the new Dushanbe Zoo”

Photo / Asia-plus

According to him, the issue of financing the construction of the capital’s zoo still also remains open

It is to be noted that the issue of construction of the new Dushanbe Zoo Тема has been discussed for already more than three years; however, the new site for the Dushanbe Zoo has not yet been chosen.

The Dushanbe Administration made a decision to move the Dushanbe Zoo several years ago. 

In 2018, it was supposed to be built the new Zoo on the site of the Korvon market, but then in 2020, it was decided to build it on the northern outskirts of Tajik capital, on the Varzob River bank.  

A design of new Dushanbe Zoo, which was developed by Moscow planners, was presented in the Dushanbe Administration in December 2020. 

The new Dushanbe Zoo is designed to keep 1,500 animals and its area will be 13 hectares.

In May last year, information appeared that construction of the new zoo had begun in the territory of Varzob district.  Asia-Plus’s reporter visited the proposed construction site to verify this information.  Workers confirmed the start of work, however neither the Dushanbe Hall nor the Committee for Architecture and Construction could either confirm or deny this information.

Later, after the publication of Asia-Plus, it became clear that a continuation of the Chorbogh terminal will be built there and not a zoo.  

Dushanbe Zoo turned 63 years old on April 30, 2024.  Over the past more than 60 years, the zoo has been dilapidated but has never been repaired or rehabilitated.

Photo from social networks

More than 25 animals died in Dushanbe Zoo in 2019 alone.  Moreover, the terrarium burned down, and all animals that were there reportedly burned alive with it.

In total, 985 animals of 135 species have reportedly been kept in the Dushanbe Zoo as of early 2020.  50 people have worked for the Dushanbe Zoo, and only 32 of them are specialists.

Founded in 1961, the zoo is located in the center of the city on the Luchob River bank (on Ismoili Somoni Avenue).  By 1974, with 1059 animals of 254 species, Dushanbe Zoo was regarded as one of the best zoos in the Soviet Union.  Until the breakdown of the Soviet Union and independence in 1991, the zoo was considered one of the best sightseeing attractions in Dushanbe.  The number of animals was great and diverse.  National independence in 1991, followed by a civil war lasting until 1997, posed a great threat to the zoo in terms of the loss of species and economic hardship.  Public financing was no longer available to the extent it was before.

Dushanbe Zoo has been member of the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 2007.