Retening of the petting zoo in Schönbrunn: a festival for the animals!

Retening of the petting zoo in Schönbrunn: a festival for the animals!

Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Wien, Österreich - On June 16, 2025, the Schönbrunn zoo celebrated the reopening of its petting zoo after a necessary closure. At the opening ceremony, animal welfare state secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig, "Krone" animal corner Maggie Entenfellner, Economics Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer and zoo director Stephan Hating-Hagenbeck were present. Zoo Director Hering-Hagenbeck expressed the relief of the successful prevention of a breakout of the mouth and claw disease in Austria, which is a serious threat to cattle and zoo. "We had to close the petting zoo to prevent the virus from being transferred to pair shores," said Hering-Hagenbeck. The closure was part of important precautions that have been implemented in recent months to protect the health of the animals.

The mouth and claw disease, which was confirmed in neighboring countries such as Hungary and Slovakia, is highly contagious and affects a couple of pairs and some zoo and wild animals such as antelopes, deer and giraffes. For this reason, the Austrian government issued extensive measures to protect against the plague on March 27, which included an import ban on living animals as well as for fresh meat and other animal products from the affected countries. Visual protective measures were also implemented to prevent the transmission of the virus. This includes the temporary submission of the Turopolje pigs and a partial closure of the Tirolerhof in the zoo.

prevention and organic security in the focus

Animal Welfare State Secretary Königsberger-Ludwig emphasized the importance of prevention and organic safety when dealing with animal diseases. "We have to ensure that all measures to control and prevent the mouth and claw disease are observed," she warned. This includes, among other things, that organizers of trade fairs and animal shows have to clean and disinfect the locations after each event. This serves to prevent the insights from being introduced.

Minister of Economics Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer emphasized the great importance of the petting zoo not only for children, but also for tourism and the creation of jobs. The Schönbrunn Tiergarten, including a petting zoo, is open to visitors every day from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

hygiene regulations and security measures

Special hygiene measures are still essential to prevent further distribution. Transport entrepreneurs: Interior must ensure that means of transport for receptive animals and their products are in good condition. This is necessary to observe the hygiene regulations in accordance with the EU legal requirements. Economists who are in contact with non -company animals must also make a risk assessment to the spread of animal diseases. This documentation must be requested by the authorities if necessary.

Although the health of person to animal is not endangered in the mouth and claw disease, the risk of transmission from contaminated clothing or shoes remains. The authorities therefore ask everyone involved to take special precautions to ensure the safety of animals.

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OrtTiergarten Schönbrunn, Wien, Österreich
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