Founded in 1962, Gera Zoo is located in the middle of the city forest. Around 500 animals of around 80 species, most of which are native to the northern hemisphere, live here on a 20-hectare site.

In addition to the predominantly native animals exotic animals also live in the park. Gera's heraldic animal, the lion, is kept in the forest zoo, as are Chinese leopards. The walk-in enclosure for Barbary macaques is very popular with visitors. Here you can take part in the family life of the animals without disturbing bars.

The farm integrated into the forest zoo is particularly popular with children. In addition to typical farm animals such as chickens and ducks, old domestic breeds such as the Thuringian Forest goat, the Rhön sheep and Bulgarian long-haired goats also live here. Attractive dwarf zebus and cute miniature Shetland ponies also delight visitors.

A special feature of Gera Zoo is its park railroad. Opened as a pioneer railroad in 1975, it now carries around 35,000 passengers a year on a 600 millimeter gauge track. The 0.8-kilometre-long track runs from Martinsgrund station past a reservoir created during the construction of the railroad over two bridges to Wolfsgehege (now Wildkatze) station. It overcomes a gradient of 2.9 %.