Man, do not pride yourself on 'superiority' on animals, for they are without sin, while you, with all your greatness, you defile the earth wherever you appear and leave an ignoble trail behind you – and that is true, alas, for almost every one of us!

(Fyodor Michailovich Dostoevsky)

Equestrian club with a mini zoo “Smet”, located eight kilometers from Zenica and at an altitude of 1000 m, was officially opened in 2018. Imagined as an idyllic farm where harmony and peace rule, it is a place where more than five hundred animals live today. They are all tirelessly being taken care of by Amer Beganović, a benefactor from Zenica that has decided to dedicate his entire life to them.

BUILDING A FARM

Ever since he was a boy, Beganović spent many of his days playing with his dogs, fish, canaries, and parrots. By taking care of his pets, he learned and remembered well animals’ endless affection and loyalty. Later in his life, without planning it and coincidentally, Beganović surrounded himself utterly with those noble creatures.

Three years ago, permanently polluted air and gloominess of Zenica hastened his decision to move to his weekend house that he built on the nearby mountain of Smetovi. At first, the mountain house was guarded by one dog, but Beganović then decided to bring other animals as well to keep his dog well accompanied. By time, this small group has been only increasing in its size and diversity as today twenty-six different animal species live on the farm. 

“Even though twenty six animal species live on the farm at the moment – domestic, wild and exotic ones - there are no fights, all animals live and function together very well”, says Beganović, depicting the little world of his own. 

In order to ensure the best possible conditions for all animals and in order to follow all law regulations, the farm owner communicates regularly with representatives and veterinary inspectors from the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Beside issuing and confirming necessary licenses for keeping wild animals at his farm (deer and roebucks, and from only recently lama and African ostriches), they also help Beganović with advice on how to build proper animal housing, as well as how to rationally and adequately plan animals’ care and feeding.  

VISIT RECORD FOR THE EQUESTRIAN CLUB AND MINI ZOO “SMET”

The animal farm on Smetovi has been visited by thousands of citizens of Zenica. In addition to individual and family visits, the farm is often visited by organized kindergarten groups. However, even though the farm is located near Zenica and the entrance is free, Beganović thinks that the majority of people of Zenica still rather travel to other places for vacation and short excursions.

Before the unfortunate pandemic times, most visits had been booked on weekends and when the weather had been warm and sunny. Visitors from other parts of Central Bosnia, but also Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Bihać, Cazin, Brčko and Tuzla also came to see the farm and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful green scenery. Alas, coronavirus arrived and turned our lives upside down:

“I managed to finance the farm expenses by working in Croatia. I was supposed to leave for seasonal work in 2020, but I could not travel. Pandemic disrupted my finances, for which reason we only just pulled through the last year and winter. It was really hard and I hope it will be different this year. As far as for the visits, people kept coming because they could spend time in an open space and not come close in contact with each other.”

GOVERNMENT'S FINANCIAL HELP

Besides struggling financially, in 2020 Beganović had to also fight for getting access to fresh and clean drinking water. Not wanting to give away all the details, he shortly explained how he had issues with a local wealthy businessman, even though the engineers sent from the city administration estimated that there was a sufficient amount of water for all residents that live in that area:

“There were many entanglements. The said businessman complained how he was about to suffer from the shortage of fresh water because of us, and in 2021 it was said that water will be brought to other residents’ households as well. Thus, the problem was absolutely not about the amount of water – it was rather this businessman’s attempt to maintain monopole over the water resources. And that is something that is not possible or allowed by international and our national laws, nor by the conventions on human rights. Water resources are a public and common good, not one person can take rule over it.”   

In some other happier and more prosperous societies, and in moments of such desperate need of financial help and water resources, Amer Beganović and his farm would be given a helping hand immediately. However, the reality of Bosnia and Herzegovina is quite the contrary one:

“I have never received any help from our local authorities, and that is disappointing. For the last five months, I have been waiting for an answer from our mayor – thus, I do not even know whether I will get a chance to talk to him, let alone get some help from him. The mayor visited the farm in 2020 and promised help on that occasion, but it was too small of an offer for such a big city. As always, it all comes down to shifting the responsibility – you ask the local authorities for help, they direct you to cantonal ministries. It is always the same story. It is really sad and disappointing.”

HOW THE LOCAL COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM THE ANIMAL FARM?

Out of around 500 animals, two horses, a donkey, a swan and a fawn were rescued and brought to the farm “Smet”. Some of these animals were saved from ruthless men, while others were saved from the natural law of the strongest. According to most recent information, this group is to be joined by a pair of bears. Acknowledged and recognized as an animal protector, Beganović was contacted by many that could not or did not want to take care of their pets any longer. Due to his affection and love for animals, Amer welcomed each and every injured or abandoned animal. By doing so, he managed to buy some time for those animals that they will spend being free and happy.

Furthermore, both children and adults that visit his farm can finally free themselves from the fear of animals, but also become more empathetic and patient:

“Children are born without any fear or malice, but parents and society gradually put and enroot those within them. A lot of children are scared of a hen or dog – at first, they scream and run away from the animals. But as soon as they realize that dogs are nice, children want to take them home or do not want to leave the farm at all. There is this one girl that wants to swim together with geese in a little pond, and that each time leaves the farm crying as her wish is not granted. There are many comical and funny situations. However, what also happens is that parents are the ones that are afraid of everything, while a child approaches animals and interacts with them eagerly and freely.”

Through direct interaction with animals, both children and adults can learn more about animal environment, feeding, and behavior. Visitors can acquire knowledge while taking a breath of fresh air and enjoying the sunny weather. In summer they can take a carriage ride, while in winter they can ride on “Santa” sleigh. It is important to emphasize the activities organized within the Equestrian club in which two trainers help learn how to ride a horse anybody who wants to try it. It is not a rare thing for children with disabilities to take these trainings as well, with many of them having thus a first-time chance to interact with animals, communicate with other children, and be physically active. 

Beganović, that skilled and wise man, also tried to establish collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of the Zenica-Doboj Canton. Unpleasantly surprised after finding out that an 18-year-old veterinary technician could not tell the difference between goats and sheep, Beganović suggested to the officials of the Ministry the idea of organizing the practical lectures that would take place two times per week and would be obligatory for all students that go to vet school. However, the suggestion was denied as the equestrian club and mini zoo are registered as an association of citizens.

PLANS FOR FUTURE

Beganović asserts that future plans for his farm are big and ambitious, but that they all also depend on the finances. For example, in order to feed animals, it is necessary to spend 15.000 KM for 5000 hay bales, which is on average the amount of hay that animals need throughout a year. Since Beganović and his volunteers always build new farm quarters or pastures (due to the ever growing animal community), they also need lumber and boards.

“Our main goal is to become a recognizable symbol of Zenica, Central Bosnia, and the whole country of Bosnia and Herzegovina because we are already famous and acknowledged for the fact that our animals are all free and that they can all retreat from any visitor if they feel like it. In that sense, our farm is not a classic zoo because here animals are the ones that observe the people, and not vice versa. I want people and animals to be together. For example, you sit down to rest and enjoy the nature, and a hen jumps on your table or bench. Our plan is to expand the farm and grow – there is a possibility of bringing bears and many other animals, but we need more solid financial resources to make it happen.”  

If you wish to visit the farm and book your visit, the contact number is +387 62 472 750. And if you wish to contribute to the future development and growth of this idyllic farm, you can send financial support via the foreign currency account (BA 393060292700404829), the home currency account (3060292730265309) or Paypal account (hadzihalilovic.selma [at] gmail.com).