Gjorgji Galetanovski, the director of the Skopje Zoo who was recently in the news over the Eurovision song recriminations, is now requesting that ticket prices are hiked by more than 50 percent, with additional fees also being planned.

The initial decision was approved by the Skopje city council and Galetanovski is justifying it with the high cost of feeding the newly acquired elephants.

We have a lot of costs, the elephants eat a lot, as does the chimp, Galetanovski said.

Tickets were sold for 50 denars (slightly under 1 EUR) but will now cost 80 denars. Galetanovski demands that additional tickets are introduced, such as if the visitors want to see the baby animals.