In 1921, Carlos Reed began a campaign with the Intendant of Santiago, Alberto Mackenna, to obtain financing and land for what would be the National Zoological Garden.

Among the species forming a part of the new zoo were a camel, Somali sheep, two boas, a ñata cow with an inherited abnormality, macaws, and a baboon.

In 1996, the New York Times accused the zoo of "deplorable conditions" including undersized, concrete living enclosures and possible mistreatment resulting in dozens of animal deaths.

[8] Large enclosures feature a wide variety of Chile's indigenous wildlife, including guanacos, llamas, rhea birds, condors, Humboldt penguins, and the endangered pudú.

[9] The zoo also holds a large number of foreign species such as lions, giraffes, kangaroos, elephants, emus, and formerly polar bears.