Established in 1936, the 70-year-old Hsinchu Zoo is the oldest operating zoo in Taiwan. It holds an important place in the childhoods of all those who grows up in the Hsinchu area. Currently, the zoo is home to over 300 animals and 65 species, including rhinos, hippos, ostriches, Bengal tigers and sun bears. The zoo has also adopted many animals that were either abandoned by their owners or are conservation list animals that were confiscated from smugglers. The zoo has plans to incorporate a neighboring river, as well as wetlands and hills, to create an environment suitable for nature education.