Rivne Zoo began its history in 1982. On the initiative of the Rivne Regional Organization of the Ukrainian Society for Nature Protection, an area of ​​11.6 hectares was allocated for a zoo on the eastern edge of the city and its improvement began. The first inhabitants were representatives of the local fauna – wild boars, wolves, foxes, moose. Over the years, monkeys, Himalayan bears, camels and various birds appeared in the zoo. From 1985 to 1988, the construction of the zoo continued. Thanks to the enthusiasm of the zoo workers, the collection of animals was replenished with new species, and the formation of the collection of terrarium animals began.

For 10 years, as a structural subdivision of the Association of cultural parks, the zoo corner was developed, and the territory was improved. In 1992, by decision of the city council, the zoo was registered as a separate legal entity. In 1998, by decree of the President of Ukraine, the Rivne Zoo was granted the status of an object of the Nature Reserve Fund of Ukraine.

The zoo today has a collection of 200 species of animals from almost all continents of the world, which are displayed according to the zoogeographical principle – “Australia”, “African Savannah”, “Patagonia” and other complexes. Also, on the territory of the Rivne Zoo, there are about 130 species of wild woody, shrubby and herbaceous plants of various ecological groups. It is a center for the protection of nature, local fauna, rare animals of the world under the EPP, ESB programs, as well as a favorite place for rest and walks with the whole family, not only for local residents, but also for visitors from all over Ukraine and abroad.

The specialty of the zoo is focused on ecological and nature conservation education of people by demonstrating animals according to the zoogeographical principle in controlled conditions, maintenance and breeding of rare species, including those included in the EEP, ESB programs (10 programs), participation in national and international programs for the rehabilitation and reintroduction of animals (birds, amphibians, ungulates).

As of 31.12.2021, the zoo collection includes (species/quantity): Invertebrates – 23 (19+ colonies), Fish -19 (169), Amphibians – 3 (43), Reptiles -19 (82), Birds – 43 (321) , Mammals 78 (535+). A total of 185 species, 1169+ individuals.

As of 31.08.2022 – 201 species. For 2021 we had 201100 visitors; offspring from 63 animal species of the Rivne Zoo were obtained; the winter room for keeping lions has been completed and put into operation; expansion of the complex for keeping big cats of Asia was finished; “Dinopark” exhibition was opened; the botanical collection of the park has been replenished – 10 new species and breeds of plants have been planted; the program “Care of animals” was continued and expanded.

As of August 31, 2022, a branch of the Ukrainian Center for the Rehabilitation of Bats was opened at the zoo. Five new exhibition complexes were opened and completed: “Fort of Raccoons”, “Amphibians of Ukraine”, “Saimiri and Magellanic Goose” sector (South America), African Birds sector (African Savannah), a complex for temporarily displaced animals.