Annual Review 2023

Annual Review 2023

 An eventful season was concluded again at our Zoo. 

 The 35-hectare SóstóZoo with five thousand animals, Hungary’s one of the most visited tourist attraction, where visitors appear not only from the country but from the neighboring countries as well, this year majority have arrived from Romania and  Slovakia.  

 The 5,000 animals presented here live in this 35-hectare oak forest, in spacious enclosures close to their natural habitats.

 From the 500 animal species, many had delighted the park with newborns. This year, the collection enriched with more than 250 animal cubs: fennek foxes, Asian small-clawed otters, Patagonian maras and several other rare bird families has also expanded.

The baby boom of the year started with the birth of Mishmi takin, the continuation was not without excitement. Numerous species  are standing on the brink of extinction. Examples include: North Chinese leopard, of which there are a total of in zoos worldwide, with five individuals born here, including a set of triplets in the Nyíregyháza Zoo. 

The animals rescued from Ukraine in 2022 are also doing well. The little lioness named Mázli got a companion, and a common marmoset named Kátya - created a family. The birth was given to a set of twins and with a partner arriving from Holland, they are raising the little ones. 

Special animal exchanges were made this year. One of the most interesting cases, was with the Sumatran tiger, since in the open nature there are only a few hundred of them in the wild. It is marked as a main priority task in the zoo to encourage the breeding process. Due to the results, there was no success in breeding with the male and female animal so far, based on the recommendation of the Species Coordinator, a bride swap took place. We hope to give a report soon about the successful date. 

Guess what-------?? arrival of the Kodiak bear. The giant of the brown bears, which was even larger than the grizzly, has possessed his enclosure, alongside with his Eurasian companion in the 1-hectare Bear Forest.

First animals arrived at – the Ice Age Interactive Animal Exhibition  as well. In the framework of the Modern City Programme built facility, which is the country’s largest investment considering zoos, although the opening is awaited next spring, the new 17-member Humboldt penguin colony in the outdoor pool can be seen by the audience.

Animals were not only arriving but were also departing as well. Gerzson – the pygmy hippopotamus flew straight to Brazil, as a part of the European Breeding Program. While the elephant bull named Jack traveled to Zlin Zoo in the Czech Republic to create a family.

The Nyíregyháza Zoo considers various charitable missions important and actively participates in supporting local habitats, and wildlife conservation programs. In addition, considers assisting visitors with disabilities as a crucial mission. Therefore, for the 18th time, the zoo provided a full-day visiting possibility with no cost for individuals with disabilities and their companions. „This is our day” – event was organized by the ÉFOÉSZ Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg-County Association. 

 The conservation education is the priority area of the Nyíregyháza Zoo. That’s why the park’s educational team joined the two-week Animal Conservation Week, which was announced by the government.

During the two weeks, 7323 people participated in one of the educational programs offered by the zoo, and the higher educational institutions also got a free pass during the theme week.

This year, we hosted numerous cultural programs, we welcomed our visitors not only with the familiar animal shows, but also puppet theater performances, and continued with an exciting Santa Claus Day and special photo exhibiton. 

Our Zoo has always placed a special emphasis on ensuring that every member of the visiting families gets maximum relaxation time during their leisure activities.

Therefore, it is important to us that we receive a Family–Friendly Service Provider certification this year as well. This certification takes into account our family-friendly services, such as facilities for breastfeeding, diaper changing, and complimentary use of baby carriers rental to pull-along strollers known as Tarzan Playground.  This facility serves as a convenience for families with young children.

Zoo Hotels – gaining more popularity: 2-star Jungle Hotel, 3-star Ózoon Hotel, and the 4-star Pangea Hotel. There is particularly, high interest for the next year, as in May the opening of the Ice Age Interactive Animal Show is expected, and can be considered an unparalleled event in Europe, the zoo team and the visitors show excitement.