The Belgrade Zoo is situated in the heart of the city within the historic Belgrade Fortress, nestled in the area known as Little Kalemegdan, though there are ongoing discussions about relocating it to Ada Ciganlija. Drawing in over 400,000 visitors each year, it stands as one of Belgrade’s most popular attractions.
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Location
Belgrade Zoo is located at Mali Kalemegdan 8, easily accessible by public transport due to its central location. While there is paid parking right next to the zoo’s entrance, it can be crowded or full, particularly on weekends. A larger parking lot in Bulevar Vojvode Bojovića bb, slightly further away, may be a better option on busy days.
Tickets are purchased from the salesperson at the entrance. Admission is free for children under three years old. Here you can find current ticket prices.
History, The Second World War Destruction
The Belgrade Zoo was established in 1936. The first inhabitants of the zoo were lions, leopards, polar and brown bears, wolves, macaques and mangabeys, antelopes, bison, zebus, mouflons, deer, peacocks, pheasants, owls, pelicans, parrots, etc.
During the Second World War, the Zoo was bombed twice: first in 1941 by the German fascists, and then by the Allies in 1944. Almost the entire animal stock was destroyed. During the bombing in 1941, residents of surrounding buildings naively believed that the Zoo would not be a target for bombers, so they rushed to seek refuge there. However, bombs fell uncontrollably, causing many casualties in the Zoo, especially in the cave that now serves as a shelter for zebras and antelopes.
Many people witnessed animals being hit by bombs and flying through the air. The image of an elephant blown to pieces particularly stuck in memory. Many animals escaped from destroyed cages, and those that posed a danger to the surroundings had to be killed to prevent a greater tragedy.
Moreover, during the Second World War, the size of the Zoo decreased from a little over 14 hectares to the seven hectares that it still occupies today.
Animals
The Belgrade Zoo boasts a diverse collection of 210 animal species, housing around 800 individual animals. Among its residents are lions, tigers, bears, giraffes, zebras, snakes, alpacas, arctic wolves, monkeys, yaks, reindeers, tapirs, alligators, capybaras, meerkats, ostriches, birds, penguins, seals, and many more fascinating creatures.
The Zoo’s newest addition is an anteater. The oldest resident is an American alligator, who survived three bombings of Belgrade and is considered the oldest of its kind in the world (more details on this later in the article).
Children’s Play Area
There is a delightful section of the Zoo that features a children’s playground and a fenced area where youngsters can interact with baby farm animals. Within this area, there is a café where children can celebrate birthdays and parents can enjoy a drink while watching their kids play. There is also a small adventure park featuring a zipline and other similar attractions.
The Incredible Story of Monkey Sami: The Zoo Legend
Chimpanzee Sami, a monkey who quickly became the favorite of Belgrade citizens, arrived at the Zoo in 1988. It turned out that the security measures on reinforcing the cage were not sufficient. Sami quickly managed to break the bars twice, escape, and walk through the center of Belgrade.
During the chimpanzee’s first escape, he walked a considerable distance in the city center, surprising onlookers. The legendary Zoo director, Vuk Bojović, eventually arrived from home and successfully persuaded Sami with gentle words, took his hand, and said, “Come on, Sami, let’s go home.”
Impressively, the director then placed Sami in his car, personally drove him back to the Zoo, and returned him to his enclosure. Anyone acquainted with the behavior, nature, and strength of these animals can appreciate the considerable risk and tremendous courage demonstrated by the director.
Sami passed away from a sudden illness on September 11, 1992. All newspapers reported the sad news. The favorite chimp was buried on the lawn across from the entrance to the new monkey house, and soon after, a monument was erected nearby, a bronze statue that will forever stand in the Zoo and remind visitors of this iconic animal in the history of Belgrade.
Muja: A Living Legend Among American Alligators
The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) named Muja is considered the oldest living alligator in the world. He arrived at Belgrade Zoo a year after its founding, on August 9, 1937, as an already adult animal, along with another alligator, in a large shipment of animals from a German zoo.
Today, he is the only survivor from the Zoo’s residents who managed to survive the Second World War, during which the Zoo was almost completely destroyed. The lifespan of American alligators in the wild is typically between 35 to 50 years, but Muja is known to be older than 88 years, making him a Methuselah among these reptiles.
Despite having one foot amputated, Muja is in pretty good condition, being fed once a week and consuming about 5-6 kilograms of meat each time. His longevity will set an upper limit on the lifespan of this species that scientists could not establish in the wild.
Gabi: The Fearless German Shepherd of Belgrade Zoo
Gabi, a long-haired German Shepherd female, arrived at the Zoo at the age of eight. Despite her advanced age, she patrolled the Zoo with another dog and a night guard, demonstrating bravery and determination.
One night, a female jaguar escaped her enclosure, and Gabi bravely confronted her, preventing the jaguar from attacking the guard or escaping into the city. Gabi chased the jaguar back to her cage, but unfortunately, the jaguar had to be shot.
Gabi was found severely injured but alive and was treated at the Veterinary Faculty before returning to the Zoo. Her recovery was slow, but she eventually resumed her duties until the end of her life. Due to her bravery, a monument was erected in her honor at the Zoo. The plaque reads: “Dog Gabi, her heart was stronger than a jaguar.”
Conclusion
Belgrade Zoo offers a delightful escape for both adults and children, providing a perfect way to spend a sunny morning or afternoon in the city. While adults can appreciate a leisurely stroll amidst natural surroundings, discovering fascinating facts about the animals, children can immerse themselves in the wonder of the animal kingdom and enjoy playful moments in the Baby Zoo area.
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