The zoo is located on the Barranca de Oblatos (Huentitan Canyon), a natural park in the limits of the city which is in fact one of the natural spots the zoo has been trying to preserve.

Zoológico Guadalajara started operating in 1988 as a project to promote conservation and research.

As the first true zoo of the city, and the largest in the state of Jalisco, the park has been enormously successful and is one of Guadalajara's most popular tourist attractions.

The Guadalajara Zoo is noted for its diversity of species, especially birds.

Some species are important for conservation; for example, the zoo has bred the rare Mexican wolf and Morelet's crocodile.