The zoo officially opened in 1952, but its grounds had been used as botanical gardens since 1895.

Some of its most popular attractions are harpy eagles and manatees.

[2] In 1877, the government voted to establish a botanical garden, bringing in John Frederick Waby from the UK who spent the next 35 years in landscaping Guyana's gardens.

The zoo features endemic as well as endangered animals of Guyana.

The high expense of overhaul and lack of funding and private sector support have been an issue.