The zoo was conceived in 1962 by Ulf Svensson as a means of reviving the Kolmården Municipality, and was opened in 1965 with 210 animals in residence.

1972 also saw the opening of the drive-through safari park, as well as the Tropicarium, which exhibited snakes and crocodiles, located outside the entry of the zoo.

The attraction consists of five areas with different themes and animals: On 17 June, 2012, the park's grey wolves attacked and killed a zookeeper working alone in their enclosure.

The park has 11 dolphins : Nephele (F), Ariel (F), Lyra (F), Luna (F), David (M), Fenah (F), Pärma (F), Peach (F), Finn (M), Alana (F) and Neptun (M).

During the years when public cars were allowed to drive through the Safari, visitors would occasionally step out from their vehicles in order to get better pictures.

[10] Between 1991 and 2012 the park held the project "Närkontakt Varg" (Close contact with wolves) for paying visitor groups.

[11][12][13][14][15] The zoological director at the time, Mats Höggren, was found guilty of severe neglect in his duty, and was given a suspended sentence as well as a fine.