The six hectares on which the Bucharest Zoo stands in the prized northern area of Romaniaâs capital city are at the center of real-estate companiesâ interest. Already a third of the zoo area had been claimed back in 2001 by former owners having their properties nationalized by the communist regime. It may be that the Bucharest Zoo will move in Chiajna village to make room north of Bucharest for real-estate developers
The six hectares on which the Bucharest Zoo stands in the prized northern area of Romaniaâs capital city are at the center of real-estate companiesâ interest. Already a third of the zoo area had been claimed back in 2001 by former owners having their properties nationalized by the communist regime.
Different entities have now different plans on their mind for the zoo. "
Two years ago the zoo was surrounded by open fields; now only houses are around us," said the zoo manager Anca Oprea, speaking of the frenzy with which realtors develop the northern part of Bucharest.
The zoo authorities stopped all investments on the two hectares of land claimed back by the Filipoiu and Gressian families, except for the modernization of the sewage system.
That would come in handy for the realtors managing to grab the zooâs land.
Local authorities have plans of their own: opening the zoo on 150 hectares in the nearby Baneasa forest, where animals could run free, while people will visit them in vehicles, safari style.
But the Bucharest City Hall did not manage to strike a deal with the national company managing the state owned forest, Romsilva.
Mircea Minea, mayor of nearby Chiajna village, who incidentally is under investigation for seizing land from the rightful owners, has plans of his own too.
The six hectares on which the Bucharest Zoo stands in the prized northern area of Romaniaâs capital