Zagreb Zoo Faces Visitor Problem, Issues Public Appeal: 'If You Do This, You Could Endanger Animal Lives!'

The Zagreb Zoo is issuing a public appeal due to a persistent problem with visitors disregarding rules, specifically concerning the feeding and disturbance of animals. Zoo staff are increasingly encountering individuals who ignore posted regulations, prompting the institution to remind the public of the importance of adhering to these guidelines.

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We emphasize this because we encounter their violation almost daily!

Feeding animals is strictly prohibited, as human food can have detrimental effects on their health, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions. The zoo's nutritionists and animal kitchen staff meticulously manage the animals' diets, and introducing outside food can disrupt this balance. Furthermore, objects left behind by visitors, whether intentionally or accidentally, can pose a serious hazard if they end up in animal enclosures.

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Feeding and disturbing animals is strictly prohibited!

The issue of disturbing the animals is also a significant concern. Despite clear signage, including warnings about "Babies in the enclosure," some visitors show a lack of consideration. The zoo highlights a specific incident where a visitor, accompanied by children, attempted to feed a herd of scimitar-horned oryx, which includes two young calves, with old bread while the children climbed on the fence. The zoo emphasized that scimitar-horned oryx, a species once extinct in the wild and reintroduced through conservation efforts, is part of a European breeding program, making each individual precious.

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Human food can harm animals' health and even endanger their lives.

The zoo stresses that these rules are in place not only for the animals' welfare but also for the visitors' safety. By violating the regulations, visitors not only endanger the animals under the zoo's care but also put themselves at risk. The appeal serves as a crucial reminder for all visitors to be mindful and respectful of the animals and the established guidelines during their visit.

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Scimitar-horned oryx is a species that was once extinct in the wild and has been returned to nature thanks to human care. The species is included in the European Breeding Program (EEP) with us, and each individual is precious.