Zoo in Vrnjacka Banja an attraction for tourists – Llamas and camels as pets of small children

The Belgrade Zoo recently celebrated its 90th anniversary, and the youngest zoo in Serbia is located in Vrnjacka Banja and was founded in 2019.

The Vrnjci Zoo is a modern complex that offers much more than a traditional visit to the zoo. In addition to a variety of animals, visitors can also expect an attractive dino park that is especially exciting for small children.

The complex includes a restaurant, a dino park, a children’s playroom adapted for the youngest ones...

This kingdom is home to more than 120 animal species from all over the world. From mammals, there are ungulates such as alpacas, llamas, antelopes, zebras, camels, says our interviewee.

There are ducks, geese, exotic emus, cranes, as well as a section with aquariums where freshwater fish from South America, Africa and Asia are housed, says Filip.

The terrarium, he notes, houses reptiles such as pythons, tarantulas, alligators and the like.

– Ring-tailed lemurs are a great attraction because they are agile, playful and love to play like children. They are completely tame, sit on your lap and eat from your hand. The biggest “star” is Borko, a camel who adores people and loves attention. He is delighted by everyone like a little child. He is used to waiting for a “target” who will devote themself to him, pet him and feed him. He lives to be scratched and is a real darling of all the employees – says Djina Pesic, manager of the Zoo.

The owners of this unusual place are Zorka and Dragan, who set out on an adventure out of pure love for animals. When they met, Dragan was a great fan of birds, especially parrots, so they started raising swans, ducks, geese and other birds in the yard.

However, they decided to expand and bought a plot of land, on which they built stables, aviaries, a lake, a children’s park, a playground and a restaurant over the course of almost two decades.

– First, horses and donkeys were acquired, then came the goats, zebras, camels, antelopes, deer, monkeys that I adore, alpacas, llamas, kangaroos, lemurs and so on – says Zorka, adding that her and Dragan’s hearts are full when they see such a large number of visitors.

Many of the animals came here as gifts, and many were imported from abroad. Although a lot of money, effort and work has been invested in the entire complex, the Zoo only received its operating permit five years ago.

Thanks to the proximity of one of the most famous spas in Serbia, attendance is very high. But the zoo cannot support itself from the tickets and souvenirs sold.

And it survives thanks to the private company of its owners. However, anyone who wishes can adopt one of the animals by depositing a certain amount of money into a bank account, and in return will receive an annual ticket to the garden and the opportunity to visit their animal whenever they want.

Zoo Vrnjci Vrnjačka banja

Đina Pešić

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animals