Press release — International Zookeeper Day and World Animal Day

World Animal Day and Zookeeper Day at ZOO Ljubljana: a rich programme and thanks to our keepers behind the scenes of the zoo

On Saturday, 4 October 2025, ZOO Ljubljana celebrated World Animal Day and Zookeeper Day. Around 1,800 visitors spread out across the zoo on a sunny autumn day and met, at various stations, the staff who care for the welfare of our animals every day. Visitors could watch veterinary training sessions, chat with keepers and discover many "secrets" and specialities from behind the scenes of the zoo.

A RANGE OF ROLES AT THE ZOO

Between 11:00 and 14:00, visitors met various specialists at ZOO Ljubljana. Peter Omejc’s veterinary stand drew a lot of interest again — with veterinary tools on display, he explained how vets look after the animals’ health and provide preventive care. The animal nutrition expert, Bojana Stranjac, ran a stand loaded with a wide range of food — from colourful vegetables and high-quality fruit to nuts, seeds and flowers. Visitors were surprised that every animal has its own diet plan and that every meal is precisely weighed, and that because of its high sugar and water content fruit is not suitable for all animals — so fruit-eating species are often fed vegetables. They also learned the importance of prey, i.e. whole animals (such as rabbits, small ruminants and poultry) for our carnivores and omnivores. Animal curator Saša Purkart prepared two stands. Children enthusiastically peeked into the transport crates used for exchanging animals between zoos, or bravely stepped into the lion or tiger crate. They also had fun with a puzzle that chimpanzees use to pass the time — if they were successful, a sweet would "pop out" of the feeder. A new feature of this year’s event was a presentation of the maintenance worker’s role. Visitors could talk to Egon Parte about how buildings and enclosures are maintained and how we ensure the animals’ spaces are safe. Under his watchful eye, children also did some screwing and repairing like real craftsmen.

All the stands drew great interest and praise and brought home to visitors the importance of a balanced diet, veterinary care, enrichment and properly designed enclosures for the health and welfare of the animals.

MEET THE KEEPERS

In the afternoon, visitors watched the weighing and veterinary training of Ganga the elephant with keepers Robert Prašnikar and Matija Ramšak, the feeding of the wolves with keeper Nik Lončar, and the veterinary training of the sea lions with keepers Lina Lauko and Lara Kraševec.

"People were most curious about our training tools. They asked why we do this and how long it takes for the sea lions to learn a particular cue, for example ‘around’ or ‘voice’. We are glad that visitors understood that training is not entertainment for visitors but part of looking after the animals’ health," said Lina and Lara.

Pika Balažic presented the care of vivarium animals, and visitors could also peek behind the scenes at the giraffe house, where keeper Peter Mazić led them into the indoor enclosure and answered questions about what education is needed to care for animals and which animals the giraffe keeper also looks after. 
Children could also test themselves with the keeper challenge — they raked hay, pushed a wheelbarrow, dressed up as keepers and discovered that working in a zoo requires skill, patience and a lot of heart. Throughout the day, the animals received all kinds of autumn treats and scent enrichment which delighted them and encouraged them to explore.

The day concluded with the guided walk "Ganga’s Story", where biologist Petra Vrh Vrezec and Ganga’s keeper Matija Ramšak, with the help of pictures and storytelling, revealed the life journey of the famous Ljubljana elephant Ganga, who turned 50 this year, her past adventures and a glimpse into the future of elephant keeping.

A DEMANDING VOCATION THAT CALLS FOR DEDICATION AND EMOTIONAL STRENGTH

The role of an animal keeper is beautiful, but also very demanding and responsible. Keepers and other specialists at ZOO Ljubljana look after a huge variety of animals every day with love and dedication — from the smallest insects to intelligent chimpanzees and the mighty elephant. They know every animal well and quickly notice the smallest changes in their behaviour or health. They form deep bonds with the animals that last for years or decades, while also facing inevitable farewells — either when animals are moved to other zoos or at the end of their life. This creates a cycle of attachment and farewell that requires exceptional emotional strength, resilience and mutual support.
On International Zookeeper Day we are mindful of how demanding, responsible and selfless their work is, and we thank them with respect and gratitude for their daily dedication to the animals and to nature.

Visitors were visibly pleased with the varied programme, and we were proud to be able to present our work and mission.

You are warmly invited to join us again next year!

PHOTOS AND A SHORT FILM OF THE EVENT

Short film of the event:

https://youtube.com/shorts/qK9g7HfwDoI?si=5XqHsIYkO6HHtDkq

Event photos:

https://we.tl/t-dxNd7E5fM3


End of release 

Ljubljana, 6 October 2025
 

Press contacts:

Zookeeper Day organiser: Petra Vrh Vrezec, petra.vrezec@zoo.si, 031 301 514

Curator: Špela Štrus, spela.strus@zoo.si, 051 344 091

Curator: Saša Purkart, sasa.purkart@zoo.si, 031 648 417

Nutritionist: Bojana Stranjac, bojana.stranjac@zoo.si, 031 866 471

Vet: Peter Omejc, peter.omejc@hotmail.com