Looking for a plan for the weekend? If you love nature and animals, don’t miss the new arrivals at Rome’s Bioparco: a litter ready to enchant the capital.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to lock eyes with a legendary predator just a stone’s throw from Piazza del Popolo? If you’re looking for an alternative to the usual stroll through downtown, Rome’s Bioparco has a surprise that will leave you speechless.
We’re not talking about the usual novelty, but a true “return to the roots”: four young Eurasian gray wolves, two males and two females, are the new, lively hosts. They arrive straight from Switzerland and have an energy that’s nothing short of contagious.
Wolves at Rome’s Bioparco: who are the four siblings that arrived from the Bern Zoo?
These magnificent specimens aren’t “loners,” but a true team. They come from the Bern Zoo, and their transfer is part of a very serious international project: the EEP (EAZA Ex Situ Programme).
Simply put, Europe’s leading zoos are collaborating to ensure that species like the gray wolf remain genetically healthy and strong.
The four new arrivals at the capital’s zoo will turn one year old this coming April, and believe me, their energy is overwhelming. In these first few days in Rome, they’re proving to be curious, brave, and incredibly close-knit.
Watching them interact with each other is like spying on a group of teenagers busy discovering the world, with the difference that they have spectacular fangs and a gaze that takes your breath away.
A 1,000-square-meter habitat: here’s where to see the wolves in Rome this weekend
To welcome them, the Bioparco has gone all out. Their enclosure, spanning about 1,000 square meters, has been completely renovated. Don’t expect the usual fence: the space has been enriched with logs, lush vegetation, and a series of environmental elements that encourage the wolves to behave exactly as they would in the wild.
You can watch them as they mark their territory, play chase, or rest among the bushes. The President of the Bioparco, ethologist Paola Palanza, explained how essential it is for them to explore every corner of this new home. It’s a rare opportunity to observe the social structure of a pack up close: the emotional bonds between these siblings are incredibly strong, and their ability to communicate through glances and body language will leave you speechless.
The Return of the Predator: Why Protect the Gray Wolf in Italy
The gray wolf is an animal deeply rooted in our culture (just think of the legend of Romulus and Remus!), but its history has been a difficult one. In the 19th century, it faced total extinction in Europe due to hunting and the destruction of forests. In Italy, by the 1970s, only a few isolated specimens remained in the Apennines.
Today, thanks to the European Union’s Habitats Directive, the wolf is protected and is recolonizing many areas, but challenges abound: poaching, road accidents, and habitat fragmentation remain real dangers.
Meeting them at the Bioparco isn’t just a fun way to spend your Sunday in Rome, buta chance to understand just how precious their presence is in our ecosystems. They are the guardians of biodiversity, and seeing them up close helps you understand why we must do everything we can to protect them.
Plan your visit to the Bioparco: prices, hours, and the Father’s Day promotion
If you’re in the mood for a different kind of day, perhaps ending it with an aperitif at one of the bars in Ponte Milvio or the Flaminio neighborhood, here’s all the practical info you need.
📍TheBioparco is located at Piazzale del Giardino Zoologico, 1, in the heart of Villa Borghese.
Mark this date on your calendar: Thursday, March 19, for Father’s Day, there’s a special promotion. All dads accompanied by their children can enter with a special ticket for just €9.00 (instead of €19.00). Simply show an ID at the ticket office proving your family relationship. A perfect idea for an unforgettable family day out.
🕐 2026 Opening Hours:
- Through March 28: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Starting March 29: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: extended hours until 7:00 PM).
Remember: last admission is always one hour before closing.
🎟️ Ticket Prices (purchase at the ticket office):
- Full price: €19.
- Reduced rate (children over 1 meter tall up to age 10 and seniors over 65): €14 (on Wednesdays, it’s only €9 for seniors over 65!)
- Free admission: Children under 1 meter tall and individuals with 100% disability accompanied by a caregiver.
The Bioparco is open every day of the year (except December 25), so you have no excuses. The four gray wolves are waiting to show you the wildest and most fascinating side of Rome.
