Zagreb Zoo is celebrating its 100th anniversary on Friday in memory of 27 June 1925, when this zoological garden first opened its doors to visitors with just a few animals: three foxes and three owls.

Over the past century, it has grown and transformed into a modern centre for nature conservation.

“Zagreb Zoo was founded in 1925 and is located in Maksimir Park, which is over 200 years old. The zoo covers 7 hectares, with 5.5 hectares of land, and houses more than 368 animal species, comprising over 7,000 animals from all continents,” according to the information on the web site of this city institution.

The zoo participates in numerous projects and programs focused on research and the protection of endangered species.

Today, Zagreb Zoo is not just a place of entertainment, but a key player in the preservation of endangered species and the education of the public, always striving for innovation and excellence, zoo educator Tomislav Krizmanic has told Hina.

Over its first 100 years the zoo has expanded continuously. By 1930, the iconic Lion Bridge had been built, and the following year, the first elephant, Mysore, arrived.

Over the years, the zoo has welcomed many notable animals, including polar bears, penguins, leopards, and tigers. Until 2006, elephants also lived in Maksimir Park. The last was an elephant named Suma; due to space limitations, the zoo later decided not to acquire new elephants.

Saving wildlife through conservation, research, and education

Special attention is given to endangered species, including one of the zoo’s rarest residents – the Socorro dove, a bird that is extinct in the wild and survives today solely thanks to breeding programmes in zoos around the world.

“Among the species threatened with extinction are the brush-tailed bettong, the hairy-eared dwarf lemur, the pied tamarin, the greater Malagasy rat, the Bavarian vole, the scimitar-winged parrot, the Bali starling, and numerous species of reptiles,” explains Krizmanic.

The centennial celebrations will last all weekend, with a rich programme prepared for visitors.