Zoo News

On August 9th, we celebrated our Zoo’s birthday, marking the 158th anniversary of its opening. For those who couldn’t join us that day—and for those who did and celebrated with us—we’ve created this video to relive the occasion.

As a special “birthday gift” for the public on the 158th anniversary of our Zoo’s opening, we delighted visitors with two growling, furry surprises: Csángó and Hargita, two young brown bears who recently arrived.

If you love gardening, you’re likely thinking about watering your plants more often during the heat of summer. Watering, however, is an art, beginning with the soil and involving careful attention to timing and frequency.

Pools, misting gates, shady resting spots, plenty of drinking water, and refreshing sprays. Even during heatwaves, we make sure our animals stay comfortable. In fact, the Zoo’s microclimate is already much more pleasant than most parts of the surrounding city.

Many people ask how our penguins cope with the extreme heat of summer. The answer is quite well, especially since the African penguins we have at the zoo are native to Africa. That said, they do appreciate the refreshment we provide for them.

A few days ago, new butterflies arrived at the Butterfly Garden. In total, there are hundreds of individuals from 18 species, four of which are being seen for the first time this season. Our Butterfly Garden is a seasonal attraction during the summer and early autumn. This year, we opened the garden at the end of May.

So far, we have counted 14 chicks, with the oldest being about a week and a half old, and the youngest only a few hours old. However, not all the eggs have hatched yet, and we expect another 8–10 chicks to emerge in the coming days.

At our Zoo, there are animals that are not part of our official collection but are native wild animals that have chosen the Zoo as their habitat. From birds to bats, hedgehogs to ants, and mammoth wasps, many species have made their home here.

The social prairie dogs living near the Palm House are truly adorable creatures. Especially their pups, who, if possible, are even cuter. But don’t be fooled: sticking your hand among them is not the best idea.

Today is the International Day for Biological Diversity, which is particularly important to us because we actively contribute to the preservation of biodiversity. We participate in numerous breeding programs for endangered species and carry out extensive wildlife rescue work.

Our two Nile hippos, Tücsök and Jusztina, are thoroughly enjoying the weather, as it is now warm enough to use the outdoor pool. Although their “bathing season” technically began in early April, the cooler weather caused a brief pause in their outdoor swimming.

In February, we announced the arrival of a three-year-old tigress at our Zoo. Now, her future mate, a seven-year-old male, has also arrived. For now, they are still separated, but we will soon begin their introduction process.