In 2025, Kazakhstan's zoos generated a record 2.6 billion tenge in revenue, even as their total number dropped to eight, including three petting zoos and one aquarium, reports infohub.kz.
According to analysts at EnergyProm, the volume of services provided by zoos increased by 23.5% from the previous year and was 2.5 times higher than in 2015. For context, Kazakhstan had 20 zoos operating in 2017–2018.
The reduction in the number of animal facilities is linked to changes in legislation. Since January 1, 2025, Kazakhstan has banned the operation of petting zoos, mobile menageries, mobile aquariums, and mobile animal exhibitions (except for farm and domestic animals). The ban was introduced under the Law on Responsible Animal Treatment.
Attendance is concentrated in three major cities. Almaty accounted for 1.1 million visitors (42.3% of the national total), Shymkent for 716,200, and Astana for 517,400. Together, the zoos and aquarium in these metropolises drew nearly 89% of all visitors.
A lingering issue for zoos is rough treatment of animals and feeding by visitors.