One in four animals that ended up at the Zagreb Zoo's Wildlife Recovery Center belongs to a strictly protected species, with the total number of admissions up by 143 compared to last year.
The Wildlife Recovery Center at the Zagreb City Zoo is seeing record numbers. In the first half of 2026, 1,011 wild animals were admitted to this facility, which is 143 more than in the same period last year. This is the first time the Center has surpassed the thousand mark in just six months.
Ivan Cizelj, Director of the Zagreb City Zoo Institution, highlights that this data reflects two things. "On one hand, it speaks to the empathy of citizens towards sick, injured, and endangered wild animals, and on the other, it confirms the ability of our colleagues at the Recovery Center to provide assistance to a wide range of species," said Cizelj.
Of the total 1,011 admitted animals, 238 belong to strictly protected species, while 773 are of unprotected species. Animals of unprotected species arrive at the Center from the Zagreb area, while protected ones often come from other parts of Croatia. The Zoo's Recovery Center is one of about ten authorized places in the country where they can receive appropriate veterinary care.
Veterinarian Jadranko Boras revealed a detailed list of protected "patients." "Among protected species in the first six months of 2026, bats were the most numerous, with 54. We also admitted 28 kestrels, 22 little owls, 20 tits, 17 buzzards, 13 storks, 11 common buzzards, 8 redstarts, 7 woodpeckers, and 6 long-eared owls," Boras listed. The list also includes two white-tailed eagles, as well as smaller animals like weasels, stoats, fire salamanders, and tree frogs.
Each case requires an individual approach. "Some animals need antibiotic therapy, while others require complex surgical procedures. Some young animals need months of hand-rearing," Boras explained. After treatment, most animals recover successfully and are returned to the wild, while some are transferred to another recovery center for further rehabilitation.
Among the unprotected species most commonly cared for are pigeons, crows, and sparrows. Citizens who spot a sick, injured, or endangered wild animal can call the Info Center for Lost and Found Animals at the Zagreb City Shelter for Unwanted Animals at 01 2008 354. The field service then picks up the animal and transports it to the Recovery Center.
