Rare sensation at the Budapest Zoo: Asiatic lion quadruplets were born, and were introduced to the press by Mayor István Tarlós and Director Miklós Persányi. In Hungary no Asiatic lions were born so far, even their population in natural areas is only around 400. During the season opening press conference it was also announced that the Zoo awaits its visitors with a wide range of programmes.
This year the institution will take over the area previously belonging to the Theme Park, its territory will then reach 17.6 ha again. On this new area a Pannon Park will be created within 3-4 years.
Lots of new species will appear in the Zoo this season, like the egg-laying echidnas (for the first time since 1917), the gorillas have welcomed one, the orangutans two new females this March. This will be the first season in Budapest for the young panda couple, the nyala antelope trio, the jaculus jumpimg mice from the Magic Mountain, the lungfish, the seahorses, the largest insects and spiders of the world.
This year’s population growth in the zoo has just begun. In the forthcoming weeks a giraffe cub is to be born. During the winter a lot of animals were born, like: a sloth, a meerkat, a cuscus, an African buffalo and a Mhor gazelle. Asha, the elephant cub, born on February 14th, enjoys great popularity, and good health. In March two African penguins came out of their eggs, cormorants and grey herons are raising their nestlings on the Great Lake.
