Description
The Palić Zoo, founded as a cultural institution on May 31, 1950 by the city of Subotica, is located in a protected nature area. The first inhabitants of this zoo were a bear and a griffon vulture, and among the exotic animals, a monkey and a cockatoo parrot. Initially, the Palić Zoo occupied two hectares of space, and today it extends to 15 hectares, within which there are 70 aviaries, woven into the natural environment of the botanical garden. In this arranged oasis of nature, visitors can see and get to know autochthonous and exotic plant and animal species that they cannot see in their natural habitat.
The Palić Zoo is currently home to around 150 animal species, while the botanical garden has over 300 species of dendromaterial. There is a collection of many protected and strictly protected species in the Republic of Serbia, such as the griffon vulture, brown bear, grey wolf, common buzzard, great eagle-owl, white and black storks, white-tailed eagles, hedgehogs and moles. Among the plant species, visitors can see the Pančić spruce, yew, Bosnian and Macedonian pines (Pinus heldreichii and Pinus peuce), as well as ginkgo and giant sequoia.
With numerous activities in the fields of zoology, botany, protection of endangered species, but also education, culture and tourism, the Palić Zoo fulfils its mission – the preservation of wild animals and their natural habitats, in an environment that is pleasant and enjoyable for visitors as well. The educational programme for elementary school students of the city of Subotica is particularly noteworthy, as 18,000 children visit the Palić Zoo annually. The Palić Zoo is celebrating its great anniversary – 75 years of its establishment – as the largest zoo in the Republic of Serbia.
Professional cooperation: Jelena Toljagić, Museum Educator, Coordinator of Educational and Promotional Activities, Palić Zoo
Artistic realization: Anamari Banjac, Academic Painter
