Opened in 1866, could you imagine being one of the first visitors to Budapest Zoo? It is one of the oldest zoos in the world. It all began with a group of Hungarian patriots. They included József Szabó, Ágoston Kubinyi, József Gerenday, and János Xántus.
The Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden aimed to showcase Hungarian species. Rare monkeys, parrots, camels, and kangaroos were among the first residents. Even Emperor Franz Joseph and Queen Elizabeth donated a giraffe. The first lion house opened in 1876. Lions and tigers moved in. Soon after, an elephant, a hippopotamus, and a rhinoceros joined the zoo.
But the early excitement faded. Maintaining the zoo was expensive. To boost revenue, the management brought in entertainers. Fire eaters, sword swallowers, and tightrope dancers performed. These acts drew larger crowds to the Budapest Zoo.
Károly Serák became the director in 1873. He kept the zoo going for over 30 years. The zoo housed about 2,000 species during his tenure. The zoo company went bankrupt in 1907. The city of Budapest took over.
Mayor István Bárczy supported a complete reconstruction. The Budapest Zoo reopened on May 20, 1912. The zoo separated the entertainers from the animal exhibits. A botanical garden was created. Many historic buildings date from this time. Adolf Lendl, a zoologist, became director. It was one of Europe’s most modern zoos.
World War I interrupted development. The Budapest Zoo suffered greatly in World War II. Bombings destroyed buildings and killed animals. Starving people ate the remaining animals during the siege of Budapest. Only 15 animals survived out of 2,000.
The Budapest Zoo reopened in 1945 with a few animals. Restoration was slow. Modernization occurred in the 1950s and 1960s. Dr. Csaba Anghi became Director General. Under his leadership, the zoo regained its status as a leading European zoo.
Miklós Persányi became Director General in 1994. He reconstructed historic buildings. He modernized and enlarged animal habitats. The zoo made them look more natural.
In 2007, the first rhinoceros conceived by artificial insemination was born here. In 2012, the zoo expanded. It took over part of the Amusement Park’s territory. The Budapest Zoo introduced Pony Park.
On February 14, 2013, the zoo celebrated its first elephant calf since 1961. The zoo acquired more of the Amusement Park’s territory. It now displays subtropical fauna and flora in a spacious glasshouse.
Today, the Budapest Zoo features many exhibits. The Magical Hill showcases diverse flora and fauna. America Tropicana presents tropical American wildlife. The Savannah Zone displays giraffes, rhinos, and birds. The Australia Zone features Australian animals active at night. The India Zone houses Asiatic lions and hyenas. The János Xántus House represents Southeast Asian wildlife.
The Budapest Zoo also has many primates. Squirrel monkeys, Javan surilis, lemurs, gorillas, and orangutans can be seen.
The Budapest Zoo is more than just a collection of animals. It is a place of conservation. It is a place of education. It is a place of recreation. The Budapest Zoo has been actively involved in coordinated breeding programs for endangered species in zoos since the 1980s and has participated in many other conservation initiatives. In addition, we have been involved in wildlife rescue for decades.
The Budapest Zoo has become Hungary’s most visited cultural institution. It attracts over one million visitors annually.