August the 4th, 2026 – A prominent Croatian animal rights group Friends of Animals (Prijatelji životinja) has sparked fresh debate after the tragic death of a lioness at the jaws of a male line at Zagreb Zoo.
Index reports that an ongoing debate over the role and funding of zoological gardens has returned to the public scene in Croatia. It comes after the aforementioned animal rights organisation strongly criticised the way public money is used to support zoos, arguing that people contribute financially even if they never visit them.
The organisation claims that many people are unaware that municipal budgets are used to finance the operation of zoological gardens. According to Prijatelji životinja, taxpayers are effectively contributing to institutions they may never personally use, raising questions about whether public funds should support facilities that keep animals in captivity.
Their criticism focuses on the belief that the traditional zoo model is outdated and that keeping wild animals in enclosed spaces cannot fully meet their natural needs. The group argues that resources should instead be directed towards alternative approaches to animal protection and conservation.
A long-running debate over the purpose of modern zoos
The controversy reflects a much wider global discussion about the role of zoological gardens in the 21st century. Supporters of modern zoos argue that they are no longer simply places where visitors come to see exotic animals. Many contemporary institutions focus on education, scientific research, species protection and breeding programmes aimed at helping endangered animals.
Critics, however, question whether these goals justify keeping animals in captivity. Prijatelji životinja argues that no enclosure can truly replace an animal’s natural habitat and that conservation efforts should focus more heavily on protecting species in the wild.
Public funding remains at the very heart of the discussion
The financial side of the debate has become one of the main points of disagreement.
Prijatelji životinja has previously highlighted examples of cities allocating significant amounts of public money to maintain zoos, arguing that citizens who do not support the concept are still indirectly financing it through taxes. Supporters of zoological gardens, however, point out that these institutions provide educational programmes, contribute to biodiversity awareness and participate in international conservation projects. Modern zoos increasingly present themselves as centres for protecting endangered species rather than simply tourist attractions.
Zagreb Zoo highlights conservation and education
The debate comes at a time when the role of zoos continues to evolve. The Zoological Garden of the City of Zagreb promotes programmes focused on animal care, public education and conservation activities. The institution also offers initiatives such as animal adoption programmes, through which citizens can financially support the care of individual animals while they remain residents of the zoo. The zoo has also highlighted its involvement in international projects aimed at protecting wildlife and raising awareness about biodiversity.
A question with no easy answers…
The disagreement between animal protection organisations and zoo supporters is unlikely to disappear. For critics, the issue is about whether society should continue funding a model based on keeping wild animals in captivity. For supporters, zoos remain important centres for education, research and conservation.
As public discussions about animal welfare become increasingly prominent, the future of zoological gardens will likely depend on how successfully they can balance their traditional role with modern expectations about conservation, ethics and animal wellbeing.
