Although the idea to build a zoo in Budapest was first brought up early in the 19th century, it was not until the 1860s that the natural scientists János Xantus, József Szabó and Ágoston Kubinyi set up a company to operate a ?game park?. Xantus, a former officer in the 1848-49 war for independence, was reluctant to head the company at the start, but eventually conceded to take over as its director.
The site of the zoo was chosen and architects Henrik Koch Jr and Antal Szkalnitzky, along with the garden designer Ármin Petz ? some of the greatest talents of their time ? were recruited to build it. The zoo?s first inhabitants were donated by the nobility, among them the emperor Franz Joseph himself. But even animal breeders of more humble origin offered specimens for the city?s new attraction.
When it opened, the zoo was home to about 500 different animals. It had a monkey house and a pheasant house, and a brown bear, which was one of its most popular attractions. The great Hungarian statesman Ferenc Deák is said to have once offered the bear, who was called Kristóf, a piece of bread on the end of his umbrella. The bear accepted both the bread and the umbrella.
The first giraffe arrived at the zoo in 1868, by way of Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth. The zoo?s management tried to acquire other exotic animals as well, bringing to Budapest lions, ostriches, American buffalo and even African elements. But the zoo was still loss-making. To make matters worse, epidemics killed many of the animals, and others were eaten by foxes which lived in the nearby City Park. The zoo fell into a crisis.
In 1907, the city council decided to take over ownership of the zoo, turning it into the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The zoo?s purpose was also broadened: it became a place for scientific research and a teaching institution for the public, not just a place for entertainment. The zoo did not reopen to the public until 1912. But when it did, it boasted a hippopotamus, a wombat, tapirs, panthers, otters, reindeers, cockatoos, penguins, emus and other exotic animals. It also had a new look, given it by the esteemed architect Károly Kós, whose structures mixed folk elements with the style of art nouveau.
The First World War caused only temporary difficulties at the zoo. Afterward it developed rapidly, transforming into one of Europe?s finest zoos. But then came World War II, when much of the zoo was destroyed by bombs and many of the animals were eaten by the city?s starving inhabitants.
On May 1, 1945, the zoo opened its gates again to an eager public.
