Sofia Zoo and the experts from the Ecological Scientific and Educational Center participate and assist in conducting scientific research at the national and international level.

The conditions in zoos provide some advantages in conducting scientific research in the zoo. Such are the possibility of 24-hour observation of animals; individual individuals are easily recognized or marked and their origin and history are usually known; biological material is easily found or delivered for more detailed research; there is a good information base on the breeding and biology of the species, as well as access to rare species; there is an opportunity to study the behavior and attitudes of visitors, etc.

The employees of the Sofia Zoo and the team of the Ecological Scientific and Educational Center also provide assistance to students in carrying out scientific research for their thesis at the zoo. Some of the scientific works of students from the Faculty of Biology of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, made at the Sofia Zoo are as follows:

Bachelor’s theses:

Maria Kachamakova – 2014 “Use of the camera trap method, application for studying the behavior of the lynx (Lynx lynx, L.) during the breeding season”

Tsvetomira Doycheva – 2017 “Stereotypical behavior in different mammals in the Sofia Zoo”

Master’s theses:

Yana Velina – 2013 “Behavior of the brown bear (Ursus arctos l. 1758)”

Petar Stoyanov – 2013 “Comparative analysis of the behavior and activity of the Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos), the brown bear – grizzly (Ursus arctos horribilis), the Himalayan bear (Ursus thibetanus) and American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) in zoo conditions”

Natalie Haralampieva – 2022 “Social and stereotypical behavior in snow leopards kept in captivity”

Petar Kadinov – 2025 “Influence of olfactory stimuli on the behavior of selected species of big cats kept in captivity”

Theses:

Katerina Zareva-Simeonova – 2024 “Influence of humans and the environment on the behavior of selected species of mammals in captivity – application in zoo work and conservation”

Sofia Zoo hosts internships for students from the Faculty of Biology of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, the University of Forestry, the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy and the Thracian University.

Sofia Zoo and the experts working there have provided assistance in the implementation of the following scientific projects:

“Pilot activities on breeding and rearing of conservation-relevant small mammal species” of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection at the Faculty of Biology of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.

“Assessment of the welfare of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in captivity in Bulgaria”, funded by the Scientific Research Fund of Sofia University.

“Consultations with the development of action plans on priority pathways for the unintentional introduction and spread of invasive alien species that concern the EU in Bulgaria according to Art. 13 of Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014”, implemented by IBEI and funded by the Ministry of Environment and Water.

“Comprehensive genetic and ethological studies for long-term in situ and ex situ conservation of the brown bear, Ursus arctos, funded by the Scientific Research Fund of the Ministry of Education and Science (MES).

“Assessment of the welfare of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in captivity in Bulgaria”, funded by the Scientific Research Fund of Sofia University.

Zoo – Sofia also cooperates with the Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with the Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in connection with the implementation of a long-term study: “Monitoring of parasitosis among animals in the Sofia Zoo”. Research materials are also provided by Zoo – Sofia to the National Diagnostic Research Veterinary Medical Institute (NDNIVMI) – Sofia.

Zoo employees annually participate in national and international scientific forums related to biological sciences and zoo work. Representatives of the zoo regularly participate in the forums of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums, where they present the activities of the Sofia Zoo in the field of species conservation, education and science.