Santillana del Mar Zoo

The Santillana del Mar Zoo is a private zoo and wildlife park located in Santillana del Mar, Cantabria, at the coordinates indicated, within an enclosure of about six hectares and 60,000 m² accessible. It is not a historical monument, but a natural and educational tourist resource linked to the observation and conservation of animals. Its opening dates back to 1977, in the context of the project promoted by José Ignacio Pardo de Santayana, and since then it has been focused on nature conservation and environmental education. The official sources of the center itself present it as a member of AIZA and EAZA, and as a participating space in more than 40 programs for the conservation of endangered species. Among its most outstanding elements is its approach as a Biodiversity Reserve, with open-air trails and zoological collections aimed at dissemination. Several sources also describe it as a Quaternary Zoo and Park, a name that alludes to its focus on current fauna and species linked to the evolution of life in the Quaternary. Therefore, in the heritage file it should be classified as a zoological park / natural space for tourist and educational use, with a modern foundation in the 20th century and no applicable historical architectural style.