Father George Ouatu from Văleni, a parish within the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacau, set up in the parish house’s courtyard a mini-zoo that can be visited.

The priest discovered his passion for raising animals, including exotic animals, in 2008 when he was transferred to the parish where he currently serves from the Archdiocesan Centre, where he worked as a librarian.

“God placed me here

In Văleni, the priest discovered an ancient, quiet village, full of history, with a 500-year-old church. “I realized that I had reached a corner of heaven, where God had placed me to complete the work of my predecessors.”

“And as a corner of heaven cannot be deprived of the various creatures created by Him, I began to set up when time allowed – after the activity of a shepherd of souls – all kinds of shelters and aviaries for exotic birds never seen in these lands.”

“So the first pheasants, peacocks of almost all varieties, mandarin ducks, wood ducks, swans, Australian and African ostriches, but also a family of Carpathian deer arrived in the yard of the parish house”, Father George told Basilica.ro.

Family, parishioners, Diocesan Centre

The priest explained that he constantly receives help in maintaining and developing his project.

“I am supported primarily by my family – my wife, who is also the daughter of a priest, the two girls – and parishioners who were happy for my passion.”

“The family and parishioners are delighted with the mini-zoo, but also the friends and colleagues who visit me often accompanied by their children.”

“I also enjoyed the support of the Diocesan Centre with which I collaborated and implemented various projects addressed especially to children and young people,” the priest added.

The parish house’s courtyard is also visited by Romanian and foreign tourists who participate in the church services, being attracted by the other objectives in the area: the boyar mansion, the dendrological park, etc.

A message for young people

The parish priest from Văleni admits that he wanted to be an example to follow for young people through his passion.

“I confess that through what I did here, I wanted to encourage other young people to return to the countryside – to buy homes or renovate their parents’ homes – knowing that the Romanian village is at a standstill due to migration to city or abroad.”

In the future, Father George intends to expand the spaces in the courtyard for other animals.