THE SIGN HUNTERS

HUNGARY: Pécs Zoo & Aquarium-Terrarium

Written by Laszlo, 15 September 2023

Upon returning from China in the summer of 2023, I had a plan to revisit Pécs, Hungary. This city holds a special place in my heart as it is where I attended university and lived for more than nine years, from 2002 to 2011. I have managed to maintain many friendships from my time here, so I always make an effort to visit whenever I have some free time. While many things have evolved and changed in the city over the years, one constant is the Pécs Zoo, still perched atop the Mecsek Hill. Interestingly, one of my friends now works there, and I was fortunate to receive an invitation to participate in a lemur-feeding event.

Due to my personal affiliations with the zoo, I have chosen to craft a post about it and share a selection of photos with you.

My journey began in 2006 when I contemplated a visit to the zoo without wanting to pay the entrance fee. This led me to brainstorm a solution to gain free admission. Upon reaching out to the zoo, it turned out they were seeking volunteers to assist with animal care on a regular basis. It was the perfect opportunity for me, so I submitted my application, and before long, I became a volunteer at the zoo. This meant I could enjoy free access! My primary responsibility was working with a particular horse, a pony to be precise. However, I had the privilege of exploring the entire zoo and visiting other animals at my leisure. Additionally, I had the opportunity to assist fellow caregivers with their assigned animals and participate in special events, such as Children's Day.

Pécs Zoo, situated atop a hill overlooking Pécs, is one of Hungary's more compact zoological facilities. Its origins trace back to 1960 when it was initially named the Mecsek Cultural Park. During its earlier days, it was closely linked with a Fun Fair, which has since been demolished.

Over the years, the zoo has consistently invested in significant developments and expansions, aimed at enhancing both the well-being of its resident animals and the overall experience for its visitors. The zoo boasts a diverse collection of animals hailing from various corners of the globe. Among these creatures, you will encounter a wide array of species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish.

In this post, I will primarily focus on a select few species that I had the opportunity to document more extensively during my visit in July 2023. As mentioned earlier, my return to the zoo was prompted by an invitation from my friend to attend a lemur-feeding event. Consequently, I managed to capture a plethora of photos, with a particular emphasis on the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). In addition to these captivating lemurs, my camera also captured images of the hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), the tufted capuchin (Cebus apella), the green monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus), and the corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus). Beyond these, you will find a diverse assortment of photographs featuring meerkats (Suricata suricatta), yellow mongoose (Cynictis penicillata), baboons (Papio papio), brown bear (Ursus arctos), and various other mammals and reptiles.

As an additional treat, I have delved into my archives to uncover some photos dating back to 2006. I painstakingly digitised these images from 35mm film negatives, and although I encountered some challenges in adjusting the colours, the results have turned out rather well. The majority of these pictures feature the horse I used to care for during that time, although regrettably, I cannot recall its name. Furthermore, we had a baby camel back then, and I have managed to preserve some charming snapshots of it. Additionally, you will find a selection of images featuring other animals like meerkats, baboons, and more.

I am delighted to share this post with you today and sincerely hope you will relish your journey through these photographs.