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It all started in 1970. when I found the first pair of parrots. Over the
next 20 years I was getting, exchanging, collecting
parrots, ducks, rabits… By meeting breeders and friends who had the same
hobby as mine, we came up with the idea to open a small zoo. So the
first step was to go to the Town Hall and find out what is it that I
need in order to open the zoo. After a long period of time I got the
required document, but somehow not the one I needed for the zoo, but one
for the trade of non-dietary
products. I wasn’t satisfied, but at the time I didn’t know how to solve
that problem.
Two years later I met my
colleague Milan Miric from Kolut who had a registered zoo, and that was
exactly what I wanted. I decided to copy his documents and started the
process of convincing people at the Town Hall to help me open the first
zoo in Srem. After some time, I finally succeeded. I got the document to
open the zoo in 76 Jovana Popovica Street which was my family house with
a big yard. I made pools, cages, but it was quickly missing out of
space. There were 2 monkeys, a couple of ponies, goats, etc. In spring
1995. I realised that this is not what I really wanted: the space wasn’t
big enough for all the animals I wanted to have. I started searching for
the new location that would be big enough, with trees, grass and water.
Soon I found the spot that I liked – on the right-hand side off the road
to Novi Sad. This location seemed to fulfil all the required conditions,
however it didn’t have electricity and it was 2,5 km away from the town
center.
After talking to my
friend Slobodan Nikolic, I was suggested the location across the town’s
swimming pool, which was at the time, a wild dump. This location seemed
to be perfect, but there were no trees nor grass, and it was extremely
dirty. However, it was not too close to the town center, but still close
enough for all the visitors to come with their children and spend lovely
time. After a couple of months I was called to the meeting in the Town
Hall. Many local organisations supported me in the process of getting
all the necessary documents. Mr Vuk Bojovic, the director of the
Belagrade zoo attended the meeting as well, and I was promised to get
the land in a couple of days. Finally, after a certain period of time
that really happened and I felt like the happiest kid in the world –
my dream became reality. I started making something I really wanted, in
spite all the problems and difficulties I encountered on the way. Days
and months went by and the zoo was growing like a newborn baby.
The citizens were very
supportative and they helped any way they could. Public organisations
also helped whenever I needed them. For example, every summer and autumn
they would provide me with new plants and seeds, help plant and water
flowers and grass, and in winter they would help clean the snow. After
two years we started putting the fence around the entire location. In
addition, we started making dam and small bridges on the canal. In
spring 1998. I brought the first inhabitants of the new zoo: swans
(black and white), ducks, geese, etc. In 1999. a new parking lot was
built at the entrance. Furthermore, we made a public toilet with
drinking water and one room for storing tools, as well as a food storage
room. In addition, we made a lovely fountain with gold fish and water
lilies. In 2000. we put up a new billiards for children. Friends of the
zoo gathered and decided to make a cage for the monkeys on the island
and another cage for a puma called Artur. In 2001, we organised the
first art colony for 36 artists from Serbia and it lasted for 10 days.
Also, we started building a house (160 m2), which would be used for
living, as well as for business. In spring next year we continued
building it. It consists of several rooms for living and a classroom for
children (50 m2), as well as rooms for storing food. In 2002. the house
was almost finished and the local motorcyclists gathered here for the
first time. All these things we did and made in the zoo are done with
lots of love and hard work. We wanted to make something for the
children, to come here, learn new things and become good people one day.
However, in 2002. people from the Town Hall forbade any further building
because we had no legal rights to do that. Even though, we applied for
the legalisation of the building, different documents were sent saying
the the building would be knocked down. In the meantime, during all
these years people who love this park were fighting against all the
oppression, writing petitions, organising different gatherings. Young
people from Europe were our guests, children from the Red Cross organise
some social events, dog breeders organise dog shows. People simply
couldn’t believe that someone wanted to ruin all this, that this oasis
could disappear. In 2008. in August I signed a protocol with the mayor
of Indjija, in which it was said that the status of the zoo would be
solved by the end of the year. In addition, he promised a new location,
enough water in the canal, that the zoo would look better and tidier.
Unfortunately, one part of the zoo is knocked down, shortened for
one-third, where a new sports hall has been built and it has not been
finished yet. Obviously, I didn’t get what I was promised, even though.
I am still writing appeals and trying to find the solution. I must say
that I am not going to give up on my dream and forget those who have the
same dream as mine. In spite all the difficulties I am going to fight,
not because of me, but because of those who love this oasis where they
can find peace and tranquillity.
Slavko Popović
Source: former offcial website of Zoo Park "Koki" (2012)
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