Kauno Tado Ivanausko zoologijos muziejus

About the museum

The Kauno zoologijos muziejus (Kaunas Zoological Museum) was founded on 15 July 1919 together with the Gamtos tyrimo stotis (Nature Research Station) in Kaunas. Its basis was the zoological collection of the station's head, Tadas Ivanauskas, brought from the Lyda region. Later the station was handed over to the newly established university, and the museum served as a teaching aid for students and as a store for scientific collections. In 1929 it moved to new premises on K. Donelaičio Street, where a public exhibition was set up.

After the Second World War the museum became an independent institution, and in 1971 it was given the name of Professor Tadas Ivanauskas. Ivanauskas was a renowned zoologist, professor at the University of Lithuania, and founder of the Ventės rago ornitologinė stotis (Ventė Cape Ornithological Station) and other nature conservation institutions.

Today the museum is located on Laisvės Avenue. It displays systematic collections of invertebrates, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, a palaeontology and osteology hall, and hunting trophies. The museum keeps scientific collections and carries out ornithological research and bird ringing.

Highlights

• More than 900 stuffed birds and over 600 wild birds' eggs
• About 10,000 insects belonging to more than 2,600 species
• Mammal hall with an Amur tiger, a polar bear and a snow leopard
• Palaeontology hall with parts of mammoth skeletons and baleen whale bones
• Fish, amphibian and reptile exhibition with a coelacanth and a Nile crocodile

Permanent exhibitions

• Žinduolių salė – About 280 Lithuanian and worldwide aquatic and terrestrial mammal species are arranged in systematic order.
• Paukščių salė – More than 900 stuffed birds and over 600 eggs are on display, including endangered species and bird record holders.
• Paleontologijos ir osteologijos salė – The hall displays animal skeletons, parts of a mammoth skeleton, aurochs horns and baleen whale bones.

Founded

1919

Operated by

Kauno Tado Ivanausko zoologijos muziejus (biudžetinė įstaiga)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Admission is free on 16 February, 11 March and 6 July, and during events of the International Museum Night (in May). Admission is charged on the last Sunday of the month.

Guided tour participants also buy a ticket to the exhibition. The outbound educational programme costs €150 plus travel expenses.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Information on the website is provided in easy-to-read language and in sign language.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Get off at the “Muzikinis teatras” stop and walk along Kęstučio Street until you reach I. Kanto Street; the museum is on the other side of Laisvės Avenue.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit