zoological garden founded in 1859 in Copenhagen. Though privately owned, the zoo receives financial support from the Danish government. More than 2,000 specimens of about 250 species are exhibited on the 10-hectare (25-acre) grounds. Included are many rare species, such as the musk ox and the Malayan tapir. The zoo is famous for its elephant house (completed in 2008) and its large children's zoo.