PHOTOS, VIDEO: Animals from zoo in Budapest relocated due to flood

There is a charming little zoo in Budapest with mostly birds and ungulates in a hidden part of Margaret Island. The so-called Mini Zoo of Margaret Island was opened in the 1950s, evoking the medieval state of the place: a hunting ground with rich fauna in the Middle Ages. However, the animals living there had to be evacuated due to the rising Danube water level.

The Margaret Island mini zoo is a common sight for joggers running the Margaret Island track since it is close to one of its segments. The zoo was home to deer, rabbits, storks, and waterfowl before the river began to rise. Now, it is empty since the island is one of the weakest points with the neighbourhood of Batthyány Square on the Buda side. But both have been fortified successfully, PM Orbán said during a morning briefing. Even so, the furry and feathery residents of the zoo had to abandon their homes yesterday.

Sandbags in front of the mini zoo. Photo: FB/Budapest Zoo

According to zoobudapest.hu, 110 animals were placed in safety on Wednesday, just like in 2006 and 2013. Only the deer had to be put into slumber to relocate them.

Photo: FB/Budapest Zoo

If it had not been for the sandbag protection the zoo would have been underwater in 2013. Here is a short video of the evacuation then:

Budapest Zoo does not know when the animals can return

Although the peaking of the Danube will be significantly lower this time, the zoo decided to relocate all the animals for their safety. The 110 mammals and birds received a temporary shelter in the Budapest Zoo, near the Heroes’ Square and the City Park. The action was carried out in only 3 hours by 20 people. Professionals do not know when the animals can return to Margaret Island. A lot depends on how quickly the water level decreases. Based on experts, that is going to take a week.

Photo: FB/Budapest Zoo

Budapest Zoo wrote that 14 floods were above 800 cm since the start of professional measurements in the 18th century. The highest Danube level was measured in 2013 at 891 cm. The currently anticipated peaking (851 cm) is slightly above the 2002 level (848 cm).

PM Orbán inspects defence operations in Kisoroszi in Danube Bend

PM Viktor Orbán inspected the flood defence operation at Kisoroszi in the Danube Bend, in northern Hungary, on Thursday morning, accompanied by Eszter Vitályos, the government spokeswoman and MP for the region, Orbán’s press chief said. Orbán crossed the river to reach the enclosed village by boat and spoke with local residents participating in defence, Bertalan Havasi told MTI.

There are 1,032 people in Kisoroszi which is threatened by the flood, but all of them are safe thanks to effective and successful defence operations, the prime minister said.

Orban and Vitalyos then travelled on to Pócsmegyer, a village on the Szentendre Island, and inspected flood protection. Orbán was briefed by water management officials in charge of local defence operations, said Havasi.

PM Orbán in Kisoroszi. Photo: MTI

Read also:

• Budapest metro station to close, flood situation is ‘serious’ – PHOTOS and details HERE
• Hungarian town cut off, free calls, mobile internet and motorway: flood news round-up, photos and video in THIS article