Atatürk Forest Farm and Zoo is a large historical agricultural and recreational complex located in Ankara. It was founded in the 1920s by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as a model farm and experimental agricultural area, designed to promote modern farming techniques, self-sufficiency, and public education. Over time, it also developed into one of the city’s key green spaces and leisure areas.

The zoo section, known as part of the Atatürk Forest Farm complex, once included a wide variety of animals such as lions, bears, wolves, and many bird species, displayed in traditional zoo enclosures. Although the original zoo operations have been reduced or relocated over time, the area still functions as a large public park with historical animal facilities and remnants of its former zoological sections. The broader complex also includes forests, picnic areas, walking paths, and agricultural demonstration zones.

What makes Atatürk Forest Farm and Zoo particularly significant is its historical and cultural importance rather than its modern zoo function. It represents Atatürk’s vision of combining agriculture, education, and public recreation in one space. Today, it remains a major green lung of Ankara, offering residents a place for outdoor leisure, cycling, walking, and enjoying nature within the city.