The zoo in the former East Berlin is more spacious than its West Berlin counterpart, the historic Berlin Zoo and has been open for some 50 years. The Tierpark has nearly as many animals, but fewer reptiles and aquatic animals. It appears rather like a park with animals than a classic zoo, in fact it is one of the biggest zoos in Europe. There is an old castle from the late 17th century in the northeast of the Tierpark (Schloss Friedrichsfelde).

The Tierpark Berlin is one of two zoos located in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in 1955 and is located in Friedrichsfelde on the former grounds of Friedrichsfelde Palace, which is situated within the zoo. As of 31 December 2013, the zoo houses 7,250 animals from 846 species, in an area of 160 hectares (400 acres). Tierpark Berlin also features two public exhibits free of charge, one being the Bärenschaufenster (Bear Show Window) for American black bears. The park is also home to the Treskow family's historic family burial ground.

Tierpark Berlin is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and participates in about 120 breeding programmes (EEP). It maintains the international studbooks for endangered species of deer and wild asses of Asia and Africa as well as the European studbook for little pied cormorants. The zoo further participates in attempts of reintroducing species to areas where they have become endangered or extinct and it financially supports selected in situ projects for the protection of natural habitats.