Zoo News

October 4^th is not only World Animal Day, but also the day we celebrate the Zookeepers’ Day at the Budapest Zoo. There is also much to celebrate, as even Gerald Durrell said that zookeepers are one of the most important factors in a zoo!

Recently, we regularly experience smaller or larger, longer or shorter periods of rain. However, this is not an obstacle, even then we await the audience with a full-fledged experience. After all, in our Zoo there are not only outdoor enclosures, but also indoor exhibition areas and animal houses.

The relocation of our Bactrian camels to one of the spacious outdoor enclosures of the Biodome also affected the related alpacas: they took over the camels’ previous place. So, they also upgraded to a larger home.

Among the rescued animals that arrive at our wildlife rescue centre, there are regularly swallows as well. Due to the cold and rainy weather at the beginning of September, we have had to take care of as many distressed swallows in just a few days as we usually do in 5-6 months.

We have significantly expanded the exhibition area for wombats. The renovated Wombat Castle provides sufficient space for the older breeding pair who have already raised 6 cubs, as well as for a new, younger breeding pair, and also for their future offsprings.

Sharp-eyed visitors may spot free-living geckos on the walls of the zoo’s Shark School (Cápasuli) and the surrounding buildings, with a bit of luck. These geckos aren’t escaped animals, and in fact, we don’t even keep this species at the Zoo. However, their story is quite interesting.

Starting today, we’re offering even more space and more animals for you to enjoy. As of this morning’s opening, the outdoor enclosures of the Biodome are now accessible to visitors. Among the animals on display, water buffalo and hungarian grey cattle are back after decades of absence.

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.