The Budapest Zoo is the oldest and the largest zoo in Hungary. It is located in the XIV district of Budapest, in the City Park, at 6-12 Zoo Boulevard, and covers an area of 18.4 hectares, which has been a nature reserve since 1986. It was the only one of its kind in the country from its opening in 1866 until the 1950s, when the first rural zoos were established. Today, it is one of Hungary's most visited public cultural institutions, with 1-1.1 million visitors a year. Like most modern zoos, its main activities are wildlife conservation, education, nature-related leisure activities and scientific research. Because of its history and its specific characteristics, it also has the additional objective of protecting and enriching the cultural heritage.
The Budapest Zoo is one of the world's leading zoos, a recognised member of the World Network of Zoos, whose strategic goals include cooperation with foreign and domestic zoos and other professional partners, above all in the field of nature conservation and the preservation of endangered species. To this end, it is currently coordinating a European zoo breeding programme for several endangered species, including the Old World mandrill, the magnificent crowned dove, the anteater pigeon and the grey kangaroo. In addition, the zoo's experts are involved in the work of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums various professional bodies, which coordinate the zoo's housing, care, breeding and conservation of elephants, gorillas, orangutans and red pandas, for example.
Wild animal rescue is also an important strategic area of the Budapest Zoo's activities. This involves the rescue of animals of protected or endangered species that are native to Hungary and need human assistance for one reason or another. The injured animals are healed, the weakened ones are strengthened and the orphaned ones are reared so that the successfully rehabilitated animals can be returned to their natural habitat.
Thousands of rescued animals enter the zoo every year, and for example, last year 2,368 birds, reptiles and reptiles in need of help were given a second chance thanks to the work of the zoo. This means that in Hungary, the Budapest Zoo rescues the largest number of animals, including the largest number of birds, in cooperation with partners such as the national parks and the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society
Budapest Zoo
1146 Budapest, Zoo Boulevard 6-12. (Állatkerti körút 6-12.)
Mailing address:
Budapest Zoo
1371 Budapest 5, Pf.: 469
Phone numbers:
Central telephone number: 06/1/273-4900
Information line: 06 / 1 / 273-4901