All the sand in the Elephant House at Szeged Zoo is being replaced. The work, expected to take four days, will help keep our elephants comfortable and maintain good hygiene.

Sand plays an important role in the elephants’ daily lives: the loose substrate cushions their feet and joints, provides a comfortable surface to lie on, and allows them to dig and take sand baths. Over time, however, walking and moisture from urine cause the sand to compact. Urine entering the sand makes good hygiene particularly important: dirty, compacted layers with reduced airflow can encourage the growth of certain bacteria that may threaten the elephants’ health. Replacing the sand provides the animals with a clean, loose, well-draining surface.

During the work, the elephants stay in their stalls while the weather is still cool, then spend the rest of the day outdoors in the rear bull enclosure, which is closed to visitors. As a result, our elephants, Shah-Rukh, Félix and Arun, will not be on view during this period.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!