Council corporatised the zoo and it became the Johannesburg Zoo Company with the council as its main shareholder and by 2007 was expected to generate 75% of its own budget. The zoo has currently 326 species consisting of 2096 specimens housed consisting of 20 species of frogs, 5 of spiders, 128 of birds, 47 of reptiles, 25 of fish and 101 of mammals. It was home to Africa's last polar bear until 2014. Breeding program It is one of the few places in the world with white lions (a genetic mutation of African lions), and has had considerable success in their breeding; these are more sought after than tawny lions by other zoos. The Johannesburg Zoo is also the only zoo in South Africa to have successfully bred Siberian tigers, the largest cats in the world. "Twist" the male Siberian, weighs 320 kg, and is the father of all the Siberian tigers to be found in South Africa. Max the gorilla was probably the zoo's best known resident. Visitor information The zoo is open all year including public holidays from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Tours and excursions around the zoo are offered under the auspices of the zoo's education department. Other activities offered include night tours and overnight sleepovers. In August 2017, a new R45 million parkade replaced the old 200 vehicle carpark with one holding 700 cars and 15 busses. See also National Zoological Gardens of South Africa References External links Tourist attractions in Johannesburg Zoos in South Africa Buildings and structures in Johannesburg 1904 establishments in South Africa