Scenes from a snow-covered Tbilisi Zoo — video blog

Tbilisi has not seen snowfall as heavy as that of January 2026 for many years. It has changed life not only for residents of the city, but also for the animals at Tbilisi Zoo.

Life at Tbilisi Zoo: full video

Most animals accustomed to the city’s typically mild climate chose to remain in their indoor enclosures during these days. Even the Ussuri tiger, whose natural habitat lies in the cold north, rarely ventured outside.

Visitors who came to the zoo despite the weather often found only empty, snow-covered enclosures.

You can find the exotarium’s opening hours and ticket prices at the link.

Tbilisi Zoo‘s history spans nearly a century. It was founded on 10 February 1927 on the basis of the Caucasian Society for the Acclimatisation of Animals, which had been keeping wild animals since the early 20th century, though without official zoo status.

The zoo was originally built on 70 hectares in the Vere River gorge. Over the years, the expansion of the capital — and later the devastating flood of 13 June 2015 — significantly reduced the territory of the old zoo. Today, it covers five hectares and is home to around 1,500 animals, each with its own story.

In this video series, we will introduce you to the residents of Tbilisi Zoo. We will show how their day unfolds, how they interact with other animals and people, and how their behaviour changes depending on the weather and the season. Get ready to hear many fascinating stories.

Snow at Tbilisi Zoo