Safety and Etiquette

Don't

Do not bring food to the animals or feed them.

Animals receive food specially prepared for them, tailored to their species, age and health, according to a set schedule. Treats from visitors can cause many problems.

Do

You can get a feeding voucher or take part in special programmes such as Meet Your Favourite Animal, Keeper for a Day, Photo Safari and feed selected animals under the guidance of their keepers.

Suitable treats are taken care of by the animal nutritionist at Ljubljana Zoo.

Don't

Do not disturb the animals by tapping on the glass, shouting, throwing objects into the enclosures or attracting their attention in any other intentional way, or when an animal is resting, etc.

The animals are at home here; they have their own rhythm of sleep and activity, to which we humans must adapt.

Do

Plan your visit using the schedules of feedings, animal presentations and workshops.

At these times the animals are at their most active and display many interesting behaviours without any unnecessary prompting. You can also help us by donating appropriate materials and toys for the animals, which the keepers use to enrich their environment and keep them engaged. Come to Ljubljana Zoo more than once, at different times of day, by buying an annual pass.

Don't

Do not throw rubbish on the ground, into the bushes or into the animal enclosures, and do not pollute the surroundings in other ways.
We all want to live in a clean environment. Some waste can actually harm animals.

Do

You can help us care for the environment and dispose of waste in the bins provided — most of it can be recycled.

By recycling, we reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. At the zoo we strive to follow the principle "Reduce, reuse, recycle".

Don't

Do not climb on or into animal enclosures and do not push your hands, food or camera lenses through the mesh. Do not lean over the fences or sit children on the fence or on rocks next to the animal enclosures. It is also strictly forbidden to stroke the animals over the fence.

The barriers protect both you and the animals.

Do

Take care of your own safety and the safety of the animals, and kindly remind other visitors if they are not following the safety rules.

If you would like to see "behind the scenes" at the zoo, visit the animal enclosures or get closer to the animals, ask about our various programmes that can make this possible.

Don't

Do not walk along paths intended for animal keepers or into buildings not intended for visitors.

Some paths or areas of the zoo are marked with signs such as "no entry", "staff only" or "no thoroughfare", which you must follow strictly.

Do

Do stick to the existing paths for visitors.

If you really want to explore other parts of the zoo, ask about buying a ZOO programme that takes you behind the scenes.

Don't

Do not allow dogs to disturb the animals or encourage them to do so. Dogs must be on a lead throughout your visit. You may not bring them into the Mini Zoo, into the Australia walk-through enclosure, into the beaver area or onto the children's playgrounds. Do not give treats intended for your dog to other animals! If your dog is afraid of the animals, do not encourage it to confront them through the fence or glass.

Let it be pleasant to be with you — for the dogs, for the other animals and for the visitors.

Do

Take advantage of the zoo for a pleasant walk and to socialise your dog. Even training focus can be a challenge in an environment with so many "distractions". Keep the zoo clean and hygienic — bring poop bags with you and pick up diligently.

Don't

Do not allow children to chase, poke, hit, tug at, drag by body parts, squeeze, pick up or restrain the animals in the Mini Zoo against their will, or to pursue them if they want to retreat into the designated parts of their enclosure. Adult visitors must not do this either. Feeding the animals is forbidden, so do not bring food into the Mini Zoo. Offer snacks to children in other areas.

Out of inexperience, children or adults sometimes handle animals inappropriately, even without any ill intent. Uncontrolled feeding also does more harm than good, even though we may joyfully offer them all kinds of treats that we eat ourselves.

Do

Teach children the right, gentle and respectful attitude towards animals. With a proper approach, the animals in the Mini Zoo are happy to be stroked and brushed, and you can even take photos with them. If they retreat to their rest or feeding areas, you can talk to them kindly and observe them. If you are patient, they will come to you.

Take part in Adventures with Animals, where we also stroke the domesticated animals and you can learn to handle them properly under the watchful eye of a guide.

Don't

Use trampolines and other playground equipment other than as indicated, as injuries may otherwise occur.

Some trampolines are intended for younger children so they can play undisturbed and safely. No more than one person may be on a trampoline at a time; it is intended for one person.

Do

Supervise children on the playground and on the play equipment, as it is designed to provide active fun for every member of the family.

The play equipment is designed to encourage family time, with children playing and having fun together with their parents.

Don't

Chase peacocks or try to catch them or drive them away.

Our peacocks walk freely around the zoo, they are used to people, so you can get very close to them, but you cannot touch them, as they will not allow it.

Do

Observe them and approach slowly to photograph them.

The peacock is a much-loved subject in many a personal photo album. With a slow and respectful approach, you will succeed in getting a unique shot.

Safety rules during the COVID-19 epidemic

When visiting Ljubljana Zoo, please follow all the applicable measures of the Slovenian government. To make your walk among the animals as safe and pleasant as possible, we ask you to familiarise yourself with them in advance. Because the rules at the zoo also apply to the prevention of infection in sensitive animal species, we ask all visitors, without exception, to follow the instructions and not touch or feed the animals! The informative list of measures below will also help you.

Because some animals can also contract the coronavirus, we ask you to maintain an appropriate distance from them as well and not to make contact with them or feed them.

Appropriate footwear and clothing, weather

The paths at the zoo are covered in gravel, so please wear suitable outdoor footwear. On sunny days don't forget sun protection. In bad weather, bring umbrellas or raincoats and wear appropriate footwear.

Respect the boundaries

Fences, ditches, low fences, hedges and so on form the boundary between visitors and animals, keeping both you and the animals safe. It is particularly important not to lean over the fences or to sit children on the fence or on rocks that border the animal enclosures.

Stroking animals over the fence

Stroking animals over the fence is not permitted. The signs by the enclosures that warn you not to touch the animals are very important. Because primates are the most susceptible to infections that could be transmitted by visitors, we ask you to follow the rules without exception these days: do not touch or feed the animals.

Dogs on a lead

Dogs may enter Ljubljana Zoo (admission according to the price list). They must be on a lead at all times in the zoo; otherwise we will be forced to escort you out. Pick up after your dog and dispose of waste in the bins. Please bring bags with you. Dogs are not allowed into the Mini Zoo, where children can stroke the animals. Do not take dogs too close to enclosures if you see that either they or the animals inside are agitated.

Transport within the zoo

Please walk along the marked paths. All service and delivery vehicles have permission to drive within the zoo before 9:00 a.m. Cycling, motorcycling and using electric personal transport devices within the zoo is not allowed. Animal keepers and other zoo staff may use electric and motor vehicles around the zoo for work purposes.

Photography through the fence

You are welcome to photograph the animals, but you must stay on the paths. Climbing over the fence or placing a lens through the fence is strictly forbidden. Any accessories that would aid photography while disturbing the animals in their enclosures are also not allowed.

Feeding animals with your own food is not permitted

All our animals have a special diet prepared for them to scientific guidelines by our veterinarian-nutritionist. Both the amount and composition of their food are important for their health and wellbeing. It is therefore vital that you leave feeding entirely to the zoo staff and do not feed the animals yourself.

Please follow the rules without exception during this time and do not touch or feed the animals. In addition to preventing the potential transmission of the virus, we will also be able to make sure that the animals eat everything they need and nothing more.

Respectfully in the Mini Zoo

The animals in the Mini Zoo are used to people, but they must be allowed to retreat whenever they wish. Do not force the animals to accept stroking, do not lift them or run after them. Crouch down and be patient — they will come to you. Borrow a brush from the blue bucket by the stable and gently brush the animals if they allow it. Do not enter the Mini Zoo with dogs or pushchairs. Do not feed the animals!

Possible closure of parts of the zoo

We reserve the right to close, at any time and without prior notice, individual enclosures or any part of the zoo — including all the animals on display there — due to the consequences of natural disasters, damage to enclosures or their equipment, maintenance, construction work, or the safety of visitors or staff. In such cases, Ljubljana Zoo does not accept responsibility for visitors' costs or for refunds of admission.

Insurance

Please keep your ticket with you throughout your visit to the zoo. It provides insurance cover for you as a visitor at the zoo.

Visitors who do not observe the above rules will be escorted out of the zoo.