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Both zoological gardens belong to the two twin towns, Timişoara and Szeged. Szeged Zoo, the largest zoo in the country, declared a protected area, opened its gates for the public on Children’s Day (1st of June) in 1989. The expanded and modernised Timisoara Zoo was re-opened to visitors also on 1 June, but some years later, in 2007. The slogan „WE LIVE IN THE CARPATHIAN BASIN” has the declared purpose to erase borders from the public minds. On long term, the two zoological gardens intent to have as the core of their offer the fauna of the Carpathian Basin. The two institutions came to the conclusion that their effective presence on the tourism market can be achieved only through cooperation and common development. Planning and crystallization of the project idea was achieved through continuous professional cooperation and communication between the two twin cities.

The project in short
The project entitled "We live in the common Carpathian Basin – visitor-friendly development of Szeged and Timişoara Zoological Gardens – Carpatzoo" aims to bring more tourists into the area by increasing the attractiveness of the two zoological gardens and of the two cities, through a diversified offer.

To this purpose, the project consisted in the creation of new habitats for animal species on both sites, in which visitors can become more familiar with the animals, through a variety of educational and recreational activities. The employees of the two zoos have long dreamed for the opportunity to present, besides exotic animals, those specific for this region, which so often are part of the local folk-tales and legends.

Touch-screen info-points, new habitats for animals and creative education for children
The financing received enabled among others the creation of two ponds for waterfowls and other aquatic animals (on a surface of 3.000, and 1.000 m2) in Timişoara; as well as the creation of new habitats for wolves, otters, golden jackals and other birds in Szeged. To help and inform visitors several info-points with touch screen monitors have been placed on the premises of the two zoos. In addition, a modern webcam system was installed in both zoos to enable live monitoring, research of animals from the Zoos as well as educational purposes. Another interesting part of the project consisted of recreational and educational activities for children, with emphasis on educational programs related to animals and their habitats, and the promotion of civic responsibility towards the environment. The project also facilitated the innovative promotion of the two cities and of the border region mainly through the tools established or created therein (webcamera system, website, info-points, brochures about the Zoo and the two twin cities, etc.).

Future plans
When we inquired about plans for the future, project managers Iudit Bere – Semeredi and Salkovics Dóra mentioned that future investments aim at the creation or extension of habitats for the animals and waterfowls, and organizing ecological activities on various topics: ecology, environmental responsibility, animal welfare, conservation and biodiversity protection. The Timişoara Zoo is planning to build a multifunctional educational facility, having both areas for environmental education and areas for exhibiting fish and reptiles - aquariums and terrariums. Besides this, the facility will have room for environmental volunteers and areas for developing in situ and ex-situ conservation programs.

Environmental protection and educational activities carried out within the project, opened the door to new and more extensive environmental-educational activities by focusing on promoting knowledge on different animals, their habitats and civic responsibility towards the environment. As more and more new schools are interested in joining the system the premises for developing environmental activities at a larger scale are starting to emerge.

Web:www.carpatzoo.ro, www.zooszeged.hu

 Additional information on the project>>