The green streets of the Croatian capital are not only popular with people. Every year, the number of wild animals in local parks and squares increases. The townspeople are already used to wild boars roaming around the metropolis. However,now they have been joined by foxes. The red predators are particularly fond of the abandoned plots in the private sector of the capital.
For example, in the Gračani district, a fox had her offspring right in an empty house. Neighbors watch with surprise as the furry mother makes her daily forays in search of food. It is the presence of food that attracts wild animals to Zagreb,located near the Medvednica mountain range.
"As soon as the fox raises her young, they will go back to the forest. Wild animals always return to their places," says Ivan Kosier, secretary of the Zagreb Hunting Association.
According to experts, wild boars and foxes descend from Medvednica into the city because people are increasingly encroaching on their habitat. Experts believe that these animals do not pose any particular danger. However, the locals disagree. After all, even the attacks of crows, which occur in Zagreb every spring, cause a lot of inconvenience.
Just the other day, a local resident was attacked twice by aggressive crows right in the city center. "They attacked me on Tomislav Square, and if I hadn't had an umbrella, I don't know how I would have defended myself," said Jasna, adding that she now tries to take a different route.
Ornithologists explain the behavior of birds by the fact that in May and June, the feathered ones have young chicks that they fiercely protect. At this time, it is better to stay away from nesting places of crows.
In case of a conflict situation, professionals advise not to panic. "Stay calm and don't panic. You should not run away from a crow if it attacks you. Try to drive it away with improvised means. You can also call the "Dumovec" information center,and they will take action. In principle, the behavior of crows is natural: parents protect their chicks from potential danger.With the increase of vegetation in the city, there will be even more wild animals and we will have to adapt to this," says the zoologist of the Zagreb Zoo Ema Stanić.