Animals at Tirana Zoo suffer from heat and lack of shade
Animals at the zoo in Albania’s capital, Tirana, are suffering from high temperatures, a lack of shade and limited water resources. With temperatures reaching 38 degrees, a white tiger seeks relief in a small pool, while there are almost no shaded areas in the bears’ enclosure. During the hottest hours, the bears shelter indoors and go outside only closer to evening.
As Balkan Insight reports, keepers turn on water sprayers three times a day for two hours, but this is not enough. Constant noise from construction sites near the zoo is an additional source of stress for the animals.
Young trees and water shortage
The zoo, built in the 1960s, was previously located in a greener area, but construction is now actively underway around it. It was closed in 2015 after videos showing harsh animal living conditions spread on social media, and the facility resumed operations in 2022.
Independent wildlife veterinarian Ariel Vasili, who previously worked with the zoo, noted that the young trees do not yet provide enough shade. According to him, the zoo has no access to running water, so staff are trying to conserve the available supplies. Vasili added that the problem of water shortages concerns not only the zoo but Tirana as a whole.
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The veterinarian stated that certain species can withstand temperatures of 34–35 degrees, but heat reaching 42 degrees is extremely difficult for animals.
Plans to improve enclosures
Zoo director Evis Rrahmani said frozen fruit is used there to cool the animals. The administration also plans to make the enclosures more diverse to provide animals with more stimulation, but acknowledged that this requires time.
Indrit Osmani, a representative of Animal Rescue Albania, said that water and shade alone are insufficient for properly keeping animals in captivity. According to him, extreme heat can cause heat stress, dehydration, fatigue and behavioural changes, while housing conditions must take into account the biological, social and behavioural needs of each species.
Animals handed over by police
According to Vasili, over the past four years police have handed over a tiger, two lions and a small bear to the zoo. He warned that if this trend continues, the facility may run out of space for new animals. Police spokesperson Gentian Mullai said law enforcement officers respond to reports of private individuals keeping wild animals; there is also information about the possible keeping of bears, lions and eagles, but the relevant operations have not yet been completed.
