Gundel Restaurant has adopted Samu, an Asian elephant born at the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden; to mark the occasion, the restaurant has organised a drawing competition for schools in the district.

Samu is one of the zoo’s most popular animals, and has been symbolically adopted by the 130-year-old restaurant. The famous restaurant also organised a drawing competition amongst schools in Zugló; 150 entries were received from 23 schools for the competition entitled „What would an elephant do at Gundel Restaurant?”. The main prize – which included, amongst other things, the opportunity to become a foster parent to an animal of their choice – was awarded to János Zölde, a pupil at the Ferenc Liszt Primary School, whilst prizes were also awarded to Sára Fogarasi (Városligeti), Nimród Nick-Vékony (Zuglói Hajós) and Kincső Natália Mónus (Mozgásjavító) were also recognised for their work.

However, the top prize went to Samu, a four-year-old elephant, for whom the famous restaurant has now become the 250th foster parent. Born at the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, Samu is already the third child of his parents; the last elephant to be born in Budapest before him was in 1961. Samu and his mother, Angele, both came out of their enclosure for the event on 19 June, and although it was not yet apparent from the mother’s appearance, those attending the celebrations also learnt that the female elephant is expecting another baby.

Spokesperson Zoltán Hanga said that the zoo foundation’s adoption programme is very popular. The number of foster carers has now reached 1,700. But there are still plenty of animals waiting for a sponsor.