Be there!

Penguin feeding is a truly exciting program that clearly shows each penguin’s personality and their close bond with their keepers. These animals eat only marine fish, and during feeding, our staff must make sure that everyone gets their share without any penguin being too greedy. The penguins are not only interested in the tasty fish—they also enjoy the company of their keepers. They need to be present, waddle over, and be the center of attention.

As part of this program, we hold public feedings for Indian lions, Persian leopards, Pallas’s cats (also known as manuls), wolverines, red pandas, or dholes (Asiatic wild dogs), with a different predator featured each day. The information about which species is scheduled on a given day is posted on a sign in front of the India House, near the Ashoka Pillar.

During the feeding, the keeper goes inside with the animals. You can see from up close how these special nocturnal animals eat and move. After the feeding, the keeper comes out to the audience. They will talk about how bats live and share interesting facts about them.

The stars of “Seal Fun” are Jacques and Noé, our two California sea lions. Both are intelligent and energetic animals who enjoy training sessions with their keepers. The program is not a circus act; the animals only perform behaviors based on their natural instincts. Training is not only engaging for visitors but also beneficial for the animals, as it helps with their care—cooperative animals make tasks like veterinary check-ups much easier.

Our zoo is also a botanical garden. Of course, every zoo has plants and landscaped areas, but here the greenery is more than just a “green backdrop”—we have a collection of plants that is comparable to a botanical garden. There are so many fascinating species that their number even exceeds that of the animals on display. With the help of our gardeners, visitors can get an up-close look at the wonders of the plant world.

Keas are some of the smartest birds in the world. You can see this during the public feeding. The keepers will feed them and share interesting stories and facts about these birds. You will see that keas are very curious and clever. They can solve simple problems, use tools, and even open door handles.

It’s easy to explain why owls fly silently, but it’s much more striking to demonstrate it with a hand-trained bird flown over the audience by its keepers. In this live, action-packed ethology show, we use experiences like this to demonstrate animal behavior—especially that of birds and small mammals—and how they have adapted to their environment.

These often misunderstood animals are not terrifying killing machines but members of a group that has thrived since the age of the dinosaurs. Discover the world of sharks and see for yourself the close bond between our sharks and their keepers, who, as part of the program, dive into the tank with them in scuba gear five days a week (except Mondays and Thursdays).

Many people think they know farm animals well, because cows, horses, and rabbits are so familiar. However, the “Farmyard Friends” program shows that these animals are much more exciting than they seem. The keepers show the farm animals from up close and tell interesting stories about them, their habits, and how they live with people. Being close to these friendly animals is a special experience for both children and adults.

In our zoo’s Japanese Garden, the Hungarian National Bonsai Collection can be admired at any time during opening hours in a dedicated pavilion. As part of the LégyOtt! program, visitors can learn even more about these special trees, their care, and the traditional art of Japanese gardening with the help of our expert gardeners.

Most people believe that bananas are the best food for great apes, and for monkeys in general. However, during the gorilla feeding, it becomes clear that their diet is much more varied. While feeding, keepers introduce the five-member gorilla group, sharing interesting details about their family life, and also talk about the threats facing wild gorillas.

Giant otters, native to South America, move awkwardly on land like puppy dogs but are incredibly agile in the water. This is especially evident during feeding time, when they become visibly excited by the tasty treats and the presence of their keepers. The program is a multi-sensory experience, made even more engaging because giant otters are quite vocal and “chatty” animals.

An important part of our zoo’s conservation work is rescuing wild animals in need. Each year, we care for thousands of rescued animals, including native protected or strictly protected species, from storks with broken wings to songbirds that have fallen from their nests, and bats disturbed during hibernation. Our wildlife rescue center is open to the public, and once a day our staff present the animals and the rescue work as part of a special program.

The pelicans of the Great Lake—both the great white and the Dalmatian pelicans—have an excellent sense of timing and know exactly when feeding time is approaching. The hungry birds gather at the feeding spot along the lake’s shore near the Crocodile House, waiting for the fish brought by our staff. During the feeding, keepers often involve interested visitors as well.

Animals often hide to stay safe from predators or to hunt their prey more easily. Many animals do this, but some are experts at camouflage and deception. In this program, you can see these animals very closely.