The zoo is situated on the right bank of the river Isar, in the southern part of Munich near the quarter of Thalkirchen.

Also gorillas, giraffes, elephants, wood bisons, elk and Arctic foxes were successfully bred in the zoo, which houses many species.

Society of the Zoological Garden of Munich) was founded and the Hellabrunn area was chosen as the location for the zoo.

It also engaged in controversial back-breeding to "recreate" extinct animals like Heck cattle (to mimic the Aurochs) and the Tarpan.

As the groundwater level here is rather high and the water is of very good quality, the zoo can cover its needs for freshwater by using its own wells.