On Monday, the Lithuanian Zoo in Kaunas will reopen its doors to visitors after more than two years of renovations.
In honor of this event, the zoo will host film screenings, book presentations, educational and theatrical events, as well as a concert throughout the week.
At the opening, guests will be able to meet new animals that have arrived at the zoo for the first time.
“You have probably heard about the rhinos — they have been with us for a month now and are very accustomed. We also have an anteater that has flown in — there were no anteaters in the zoo before. Long-nosed mongooses, hyraxes, various species of reptiles, birds, and cheetahs have also been brought in,” shared Gintarė Stankavičė, the director of the Lithuanian Zoo.
She noted that visitors will likely miss the beloved seal Kai, who was relocated before the renovation began. Instead, otters now reside there, which are expected to win the hearts of guests as well.
The zoo's chief veterinarian, Jurgita Autukaitė, reported that the new animals have already adapted, while the old ones are eagerly awaiting their visitors.
“The animals are feeling great; some of them, I think, even miss people, some love to pose and come closer. We are happy that everything went smoothly, some animals left, and new ones arrived. We are very happy that the new inhabitants have adapted; they had time to get used to it since they arrived a little earlier than the planned opening,” she said.
According to the chief veterinarian, measures will be taken to organize the flow of visitors after the zoo opens, so they do not disturb the animals.
“The priority is for the animals to feel comfortable. We have slightly covered some enclosures to reduce stress levels, especially for those who have just arrived and may not be used to such attention,” Autukaitė added.
She also noted that after the renovation, the animals have been placed in more spacious enclosures, which improves their well-being and provides more opportunities for movement.
The renovation affected 80% of the zoo. During the work, the conditions for keeping animals were improved, seven new buildings were constructed, old ones were renovated, enclosures were updated, new facilities for visitors and staff were created, paths were repaired, children's playgrounds were installed, and an exoticarium with an educational center and a viewing tower with an elevator was built.
Stankavičė also emphasized that the zoo has become fully accessible for people with disabilities: they will be able to use both an adapted path and an elevator between the lower and upper parts of the garden.
One of the most expensive and unique new features is the exoticarium, covering almost 3,000 square meters, designed for warm-loving animals, meerkats, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
As the curator of the exoticarium, Alma Pikūnienė, explained, two exhibits — desert and jungle — have also been created, where visitors can walk among the animals.
“Previously, we did not have open spaces where visitors could directly enter the animals' home. Now we have two such exhibits,” she noted.
In the desert area, a wooden path has been installed for visitors, leading through the center of the room. The animal enclosures are fenced with stakes and ropes. Loudly chirping parrots fly above the visitors, while huge tortoises slowly cross the path.
“This is not a petting zoo; the animals are not touched or petted. They are not picked up, but a person can come close and see the life of the animal very closely,” the curator emphasized.
According to her, staff and volunteers will be on duty in these areas, and cameras will be installed to “constantly monitor both the animals and the visitors to ensure everyone gets along.”
The exoticarium is home to 600 fish and over 300 other animals.
According to A. Pikūnienė, the new conditions are incomparably better than before the renovation: drying and humidifying the air, skylights, and lighting allow for conditions that are as close to natural as possible.
According to the zoo's data, 149 species of animals can be seen here, of which more than 50 are protected. In the next five years, it is planned to increase the number of protected species.
The Lithuanian Zoo has not undergone major renovations since its opening in 1938. The infrastructure upgrade project cost €24 million.
