Zagreb Zoo - Renovated Wildlife Oasis

Zoo in numbers

• The idea of a zoo in Zagreb came up in 1905, and it was opened twenty years later, which makes it the oldest zoo in Southeast Europe.
• When it opened, it was home to only five animals - three foxes and two owls.
• It is located in the southern part of the park Maksimir and it covers an area of 7 ha.
• Zoo consists of a large number of external enclosures as well as small themed tropical houses and several pavilions.
• Today, it is a home to 275 animal species and 2,225 specimens from all continents including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and invertebrates.
• Zagreb Zoo is a member of four international organisations which demonstrates its quality and ensures the best care for animals.
• In the 1990s, the large renovation and modernization of the zoo began, which is now finally in its final stage.

Image credit: zoo.hr

The new home of the king of animals

One of the biggest projects was when the king of animals – lion - got a home that it deserves. The new dwelling covers 1,800 square meters while the old one was only around 200 square meters. It has its lion's cave, rocky islands as in the African savannah, a watering place and heated rock in the middle where they can enjoy the sun. The pack consists of three members, two lionesses Ayane and Nyote and a lion called Leo.

Public feeding and keepers' talks

Education is one of the primary activities of the zoo, so through public feeding, keepers' talks and other activities, you can get better acquainted with lions as well other animals. It is proven that the proximity to the animals, especially the tactile feelings, arouse the interest of visitors and encourage them to become actively involved in their protection whereas animal species in zoo act as ambassadors for their vulnerable relatives in the wilderness.

Become an adopter

Among many activities of the Zagreb Zoo, you can also adopt an animal of your choice for a year and provide it with many treats and new toys. Most popular adoptees are African lion, red panda, meerkat, Californian sea lion, grey wolf, Chinese leopard, brown bear, lemur, chimp and Eurasian lynx.

Image credit: zoo.hr

Become a groomer for a day

If you've wondered what it's like to work in a zoo, what life 'behind the scenes' looks like and how it feels to approach the wild animals and take care of them – there is a chance to find it out. Some of the activities that await you in this program are a brief introductory lecture about the roles of the zoo, the structure of Zagreb Zoo and the division of work by sector, and the rules of conduct when working with animals, preparing food for pandas, entering the enclosure and feeding them, cleaning dwellings of antelopes and ostriches, preparation of sweets and toys for the meerkats, preparation of the terrarium for the feeding of insects and bats.

Special activities for the kids

Apart from public feeding, keeper's talk, adopting programs and chance to become a groomer for a day, there is a lot of additional activities for kids and whole families. Probably the most interesting and the funniest one is celebrating a birthday in the zoo. Celebration, among other things, includes contact with selected animals, educational games, creative workshops, all of which vary depending on the chosen birthday theme.

Image credit: zoo.hr

So, there is something for everyone and you are left with no choice but to step into the Zagreb Zoo, meet wildlife and have fun. After the zoo, take a walk around the beautiful Maksimir park and you're sure to have a wonderful day spent among the animals and nature.

Header image credit: zoo.hr

Author: Anđela Ivčević