According to the spokesman of the Hungarian Ornithological Organisation, Zoltán Orbán, it’s a myth that birds only co-exist with us in cities because there is no place for them outside. In reality, the urban environment is ideal for many, as there are no predators but there’s enough to eat. Budapest has quite a rich biosphere with hundreds of species living together. Apart from 280 types of birds observed here, there are also martens, dormice and other small rodents inhabiting the city.
But there are now a few newer visitors, who have found their ways into our streets from the surrounding woods and meadows just recently. After a roe deer was hit by an unsuspecting car at Kálvária tér, some theorised that the animal originated from a herd residing in the nearby main cemetery of Kerepesi. Workers at the graveyard, however, say that they haven’t come across any deer during the course of their work. The misconception most likely came from the fact that other cemeteries have reported roe deer wandering in and grazing on flowers by the gravestones. Where the unlucky deer came from is still a mystery.
Until the shutdown, the appearance of wild boar was uncommon but not unheard of. One was spotted on Fő utca in 2001, chased by the police and jumping into the Danube. There were two other instances of boars running around town in the summer of 2009 alongside the river as well.
Another example occurred in 2015, when a boar was chased in the river by the authorities on a motorboat, while in 2017 one specimen made it into the city centre.
In 2018, news appeared about wild boars ravaging rubbhish bins, and in 2019 an entire family swam all the way to Óbudai Island, with one of them attacking a dog being taken for its walk.
Foxes and golden jackals are not hard to find in Budapest, and pose a danger to the birds and smaller rodents mentioned above. Animals in Budapest Zoo are not safe from them either, which was the reason being the electric fence around the flamingo enclosure.
According to Zoltán Hanga of Budapest Zoo, the sly animals likely make use of the nearby railway tracks to find the menagerie.
Because of their size, visitations by deer and boar cause more disturbance in the lives of locals. According to Zoltán Hanga, younger animals venture into town to find new territory, preferring areas that are calm by day and after dark. Those arriving in the quiet of night often wake up terrified by the buzz of the city, and move around in shock. This is what might have happened to the poor roe deer at Kálvária tér.
Beavers and owls often appear in public spaces, causing surprise and sometimes anxiety in witnesses. Their presence is quite normal though and does not need to be acted on, except if they become disturbed. Once, for example, a beaver got stuck in a rainwater drain – these kinds of instances require intervention.
Wild boars are highly adaptable to new environments and like to expand their territory. To find shelter, water or food, they are sometimes driven to come into cities or suburbs. As a study conducted by Szent István University and the Pilis Park Forest has shown, there are groups of wild boar staying urban surroundings, as all their needs are met between buildings. The most affected districts are I, III, XI and XII, where the neglected patches and green areas provide safe dwelling.
Food scraps and leftovers near woods or inside gardens are also breeding grounds for animal investigation.
They also like places with rubbish, fallen fruit, green waste, fertile soil with plenty of earthworms and snails, garden crops (much to the displeasure of residents), as well as humid and muddy sites. They have long been accustomed to the otherwise alarming sounds, lights and smells coming from the human environment, and can even bump into us in broad daylight.
Typical surroundings are the wooded areas of District XII, including Normafa and the Irhás árok. Visitations are more regular during times of drought, when the animals are in greater need of food and water.
Roe deer adapt well too, and being used to the close proximity of humans, often live in woods near residential areas. Their mating season starts in May and lasts until the end of summer, prompting the male animals to be more careless and adventurous in their wanderings, sometimes crossing roads and coming near people.
Foxes enjoy living in the cities, and contrary to popular belief, their tame nature is not because of rabies: the abundant small rodents as well as improperly stored rubbish and pet food provide them with easier opportunity to feed themselves than having to hunt in the wild.
This is why it is important to put domestic waste in an enclosed space, and to keep your distance when wild animals come by. Do not feed them by any means, because that acclimates them into the city.
A strong fence can help keep them away, and as they are sensitive to human smell, putting a few inches of hair hidden in a cloth or nylon stockings can be effective as well. Although continuous vaccination has basically eliminated rabies in Hungary’s fox population, it is still forbidden to touch or pet them. If you see a fox where they shouldn’t be, the best thing to do is to call the authorities or professionals who can help.
The same thing applies for wild boars: the best action to take is to make loud noises and keep your distance, while providing a route for them to escape. It is also important to handle any green waste properly and not discard it into isolated areas, as the insects, snails and earthworms it might attract will also tempt wild boars.
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