Exiting from one of the oldest underground subway systems in the world, you enter Budapest's City Park.
Located here is the world's third oldest zoo (Europe's second oldest). Founded in 1866, the Budapest Zoo's
11 hectares is created with majestic, award winning Art Nouveau designed buildings, such as their
newly renovated Elephant House.
With back-to-back births, the Budapest Zoo boasts the first and second ever white rhino calves conceived
through artificial insemination. The first was in early 2007, named Layla, and I was fortunate enough to be
there for her first introduction to the public. Other notable births are their endangered Persian leopard
triplets and Asian elephant calves.
The Budapest Zoo is involved with conservation of the Carpathian basin (the region in which Budapest,
Hungary is located) and the hundreds of animals that live there. The Zoo also participates in breeding
programs for endangered native and exotic species. The Zoo is also an internationally recognized
primate centre with over 200 inhabitants.
Even though the Budapest Zoo is small in size compared with some of the more world renowned zoos,
it is still very much worth the visit. Housing over 1,500 specimens representing 350 species, the
Budapest Zoo has a lot to offer including an aquarium, a butterfly garden, two new aviaries, a palm
tree house and a children's petting area and playground.
So whether you're looking for history, old world charm, an animal experience or simply a great place
to take the children, the Budapest Zoo is truly an enchanting place to visit.
~excerpt from News from the Underground - December Issue.(Stephanie Mayo)
 Layla - white rhino calf born in 2007 |
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Budapest Zoo's variety of animal species |
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walk-through habitat, penguin enclosure, fennec fox, otters |
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