Zookeepers

Most visitors see the animals at the Budapest Zoo from a distance, in the yard and with a few exceptions are not allowed to get close up to them. Unlike the zookeepers who absolutely must come in contact with the animals. Lions and tigers are of course not caressed, but with the more tame animals it is not uncommon for the keepers to eat and swim with them and also share a few hugs. 2014 spring, Budapest, Hungary

Ágnes Bodó and Zafriel, the white rhinoceros bull. Zafriel is slow to understand things, and it is hard to win his trust. Four keepers deal with him all together, Ágnes for the last three years. One has to be very careful when near the three-ton animal who can crush bones unwantedly.

Lili Csehó among her favourite rays. Lili formerly dealt with wolves, it was two years ago that she turned to marine animals. She has to take special care when diving as the ray's stab can be lethal in extreme cases.

Veronika Velecz's darling is Maxi, the cigája tup. The hardest times with Maxi happen when he - despite belonging to another species - tries treating Veronika as a woman.

Gábor Horváth and Juno, the Bactrian camel, who, compared to his companions is much more dopey - despite being very well-intentioned. Gábor also deals with seals and bears.

Geregely Szőregi with Angele, the Asian elephant. Angele is thirteen years old, it was Gergely who traveled to France to bring her to Budapest four years ago. She is a very good animal, and although not the most proportionate, she is most useful: the proud mother of Asha, the zoo's baby elephant.

Judit Gábor has spent her last thirty years working in the zoo. First she dealt with insects, her newest protégées, four kea parrots arrived a few weeks ago. Pictured is the yougest and most playful one but she also loses her patience quickest. Sometimes all four birds act like angels but this very much depends on their mood.

László Fehér and Görbi, the ten year old ring tailed coati, who, just like humans, finds it more and more difficult to deal with changes as he is getting older and older. He accepts László as they have been working together for seven years but there are keepers who are lucky to get out of his cage unharmed.

Tamás and a giant walking stick. This species is captive-bred only since 2012, but Gábor has been dealing with all kinds of insects for ten years. This is the first generation of sticks in Budapest and six hundred yolks are waiting to hatch right now.

Andrea Szima with a saved brown owlet. The owlet dropped from a nest somewhere in the outskirts of Budapest and the keepers try to get in as little contact with her as they can so it will be easier for her to fit back into wild life when they release her.

László Pető and Jacques, the california sea lion. They have been working together for only half a year. The main purpuse of the excercises is for the animals to get used to humans so it is easier to (for example) examine them.

Zsombor Szotyori is taking care of the two toed sloths since five and a half years. Sloths are very lovely in all their simplicity. They are easily tamed but one has to be careful in their vicinity as they sometimes bite when losing their temper.

László Ilycsin and Jusztina. László is in a very good relationship with Jusztina, the somewhat dumb Hippopotamus amphibius - it only took a couple of feedings for him to win her trust. It is very easy to keep a hippopotamus compared to elephants for example.

Zoltán Tuba photographer

Zookeepers