World Animal Day and International Zookeeper Day

On Saturday, 4 October 2025, a lively programme at ZOO Ljubljana for WORLD ANIMAL DAY AND INTERNATIONAL ZOOKEEPER DAY

For World Animal Day and International Zookeeper Day, on Saturday, 4 October 2025, between 10:30 and 17:00, we are preparing a special and varied event at ZOO Ljubljana that offers a closer look at the care of zoo animals that visitors do not usually experience on a normal visit.

On this day you will be able to get a closer look at the work of our sea lion, vivarium, wolf and elephant keepers at ZOO Ljubljana and ask them all about the care of our animals. You will also be able to chat with a vet and discover the secrets of his work (for example, how they take and check blood samples from leopards), with our animal nutritionist about the animals’ healthy diets, with a curator about how animal transport, enclosure equipment and correct social structures are managed, and with a maintenance worker who constantly checks the safety of enclosures and takes care of small repairs and general upkeep of the zoo.

You will also be able to watch the veterinary training of Ganga the elephant, the feeding of the wolves and sea lions, the care of vivarium animals, and discover what goes on behind the scenes at the giraffes. Children will be able to try out what it is like to be a keeper, and additional treats for the animals will be provided throughout the day. They will receive autumn treats, dry leaves and various scent enrichment. The celebration will conclude with the guided walk "Ganga’s Story", which, through pictures and words, will reveal the life journey of the famous Ljubljana elephant, who this year celebrated her 50th birthday, and the changes in her care from the past to today.

A more detailed programme is attached.

You are warmly invited to join us on this special day, and cat and dog lovers are invited to visit Ljubljana Shelter on the same day!

ZOO Ljubljana

Photos of keepers and snapshots from last year’s International Zookeeper Day at ZOO Ljubljana can be found at the link below:
https://we.tl/t-GgBcLiIkwp

End of release

Ljubljana, 1 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