Budapest Zoo’s 2024 season offers a diverse programme line-up and introduces new animals, including brown bears, male tigers, giraffes, alongside renovated exhibition areas.
At the Tuesday press event in Budapest Zoo, Endre Sós, the institution’s director of conservation and animal health, reminded attendees of the outstanding success of the zoo in 2023: it remained
the most visited cultural institution and tourist attraction in the country,
with over 1.1 million visitors curious about the zoo’s attractions and programmes. Regarding the renovated exhibition areas, Sós mentioned that recently, the building housing the giant otters has been refurbished, and the enlargement of the Asian wild dog enclosure has just been completed. Not only animals but also new features in presenting plants await the audience. The zoo’s gardeners are currently working on setting up a new greenhouse showcasing succulent plants and creating a terrace tea plantation on the slope of the Japanese garden hill.
Regarding upcoming events, Sós stated that during the Easter weekend, families can enjoy nine daily feeding and animal presentations, as well as crafts and egg hunts. Until 21 April, the spring lantern magic programme will run, followed by a sustainability theme week from 22–26 April. In late May, a biodiversity theme week with a focus on Vietnam’s wildlife is planned, and from May onwards, visitors are invited to behind-the-scenes evening walks. During the summer, the Zoo Camp will return, as well as the Vacation Zoo camp announced for disadvantaged families. In August, a special event will celebrate the zoo’s birthday, and in September, the Night of Researchers and Animal Welfare theme week will be held. Sós emphasized the Budapest Zoo’s determined effort to
utilize the Biodome area during the suspension of its construction by hosting various events
compatible with the institution’s mission and ethos, both technically and conceptually.
According to a written summary provided by the Budapest Zoo, several significant animal transports have already taken place during the spring period, with more expected in the coming weeks. One notable change is the departure of Lloyd, the polar bear, to be replaced by brown bears, a species absent from the zoo in recent years, as polar bear keeping is suspended. Among recently departed animals is Igor, the male wolverine, with another male expected to accompany the remaining female, Tuija, in Budapest. In the near future, a new male giraffe will join the existing females. These animal transports are part of the European zoo breeding programme aimed at furthering the reproduction of the respective species. Additionally, a female Siberian tiger, Agnes, will be joined by a male in the coming weeks, with the goal of the new breeding pair producing an offspring over time.
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Sources: Hungarian Conservative/Budapest Zoo
