Radosław Ratajszczak, ex-head of Wrocław Zoo who oversaw the Afrykarium, dies at 69

Death confirmed by the city

Radosław Ratajszczak, a zoologist and former president of the Wrocław zoo, has died at the age of 69. The city's press office announced the death on 28 October, and a representative confirmed it to Radio Wrocław. Several outlets carried the news that morning, and tributes came from the city, the zoo, the Poznań zoo and the mayor.

The city's press office said in its statement:

“He will remain in our memory as a man of great passion, vision and devotion to nature.”

Fifteen years in charge in Wrocław

Ratajszczak led the Wrocław zoo for 15 years, from 2007 until 2022. According to Wroclaw.pl, the garden he inherited had a rich history but needed modernisation. The key step was turning the zoo into a commercial company, which gave it financial flexibility and opened the way to large investments. He also changed its purpose, moving it away from a traditional menagerie toward a centre for science, education and breeding.

Radio Wrocław reports that new enclosures and pavilions were built during his time. ZOO Wrocław says the garden held about 500 animal species when he arrived and more than 1,100 when he left. The Poznań zoo says he worked there from 1981 to 2006, starting as an animal keeper and serving as deputy director from 1994 to 2006.

ZOO Wrocław recalled his approach when he took the post:

“Taking up the post, he said he wanted to run this garden for the animals, not for his own fame. And that is how he ran it.”

Afrykarium, DODO and the species programme

The Afrykarium, a complex of pools and tunnels presenting African aquatic ecosystems, opened in autumn 2014. Wroclaw.pl reports that it drew millions of visitors and placed the zoo among the most popular attractions in Europe. During his tenure the zoo became the first in Poland to bring in okapi and manatees, and the first in the world to hatch Philippine hawk-owls and Palawan hornbills.

Ratajszczak also set up an education department and, in 2016, the ZOO Wrocław DODO foundation. Wroclaw.pl says the foundation supports dozens of rescue projects in natural habitats worldwide. The Odrarium opened in the same period, along with enclosures for lynx, wolves, Indian rhinos and okapi. The Poznań zoo's tribute notes that his work earned several awards, including the Heini Hediger Award.

Vietnam and the tributes

In 2022 he left Wrocław for Vietnam, where he led a primate conservation programme at Cuc Phuong National Park. Wroclaw.pl describes the Vietnam work as protecting critically endangered primate species. The mayor of Wrocław, Jacek Sutryk, wrote on social media that he had received the news with great sadness.

“With great sadness I received news of the death of Radosław Ratajszczak, long-time president of ZOO Wrocław, an outstanding biologist and a man devoted to animals.”

Sutryk credited his passion and commitment with the zoo's transformation. The Poznań zoo and ZOO Wrocław both called him a visionary. Ratajszczak's family and friends received condolences from the city, the zoo and the Poznań zoo.