Endre Sós said at a press conference held at the institution that they want to create an urban oasis on the site, with plants and animals.

"The 20 billion forints previously planned for the opening of the Biodóm are not available to us now, but we can open it with about 350 million ," said Endre Sós.

He mentioned that the Biodome opened to the public last year after many years of uncertainty and disputes between the capital and the government, and that it was able to attract around 100,000 visitors to some of its events.

These included the two light domes and the World Press Photo exhibition, but it also brought in significant revenue from the fact that a Hollywood film production was filmed here. 

He said that this year the recently closed fossil exhibition was seen by more than 46,000 people in a month and a half.

"We do not see the reality that the investment could be completed within a year or two according to the original plans. At the same time, we believe that the Biodóm is ripe for permanent opening to the public," the director emphasised.

Anikó Tamás Királyné, the zoo's economic director, said that last year's expenses at the Biodóm amounted to approximately 1.15 billion forints, and revenues reached 710 million forints.

Endre Sós noted that according to the original plans, large animals, rhinos, elephants, and chimpanzees would also be presented in the Biodome, but the structures and resources are currently not available to implement this.

He said that the Biodóm's previous concept of Miocene Hungary would be transformed; instead of the pre-human tropical period, visitors would be presented with a world in which humans and nature could live together.

"In addition to the plants, by the end of the year, the animal exhibit currently located inside the large rock may be moved to the 1.7-hectare area of ​​the Biodome, primarily with Southeast Asian species. 

The Aquarium was also included in the initial plans, but the structure's warranty has expired due to the delay in the Biodome case. 

The Aquarium is functional in principle, but its commissioning involves huge costs, while its maintenance also costs several million per month, " Endre Sós stated.

The director of nature conservation and animal health also mentioned that the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden had a good year last year: 

1 million 120 thousand visitors is one of the best figures in the past twenty years, while the Margaret Island Wildlife Park, which also belongs to the institution, also had 200 thousand visitors.

Endre Sós recalled that last year the polar bears moved out of the zoo, and brown bears arrived in their place with a 35 million development. 

This year, the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden would like to renovate the Savannah enclosure, primarily from the 1 percent personal income tax (PIT) offered to the institution.

The stormwater drainage system of the enclosure system would be modernized, and the fences that separate the animals from the public would also be renovated.

Thanks to the planned improvements, the animals will have a more spacious and comfortable place, and
the public can once again use the feeding tower, from where they can get to know the giraffes at head height.

The enclosure, established in 2008, is inhabited by broad-mouthed rhinos, giraffes, mhorr gazelles, nyala antelopes, as well as a waterbuck, several crowned cranes, marabous and rescued storks.

Endre Sós said that the zoo, with its current 730 species, ranks 6th among zoos in the world. The institution's gross income in 2024 was more than 5.2 billion forints, about two-thirds of which was generated by the zoo.

In response to a question about the serious problem of foot-and-mouth disease experienced in Hungary, the director said that fortunately the zoo is not currently affected by the infectious disease, but despite this, the petting zoo has been closed and contact with the animals and feeding have been prohibited.

At the press conference, it was announced that the Art Aqua exhibition, which is primarily a fine art exhibition, but also presents plants, will open in the Biodóm on April 10 and will be on display until May 25.

More:
Biodome

MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only

Source: 
MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

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