Zoo in Kiev

Kiev zoo - the largest zoo of the CIS and one of the oldest zoos in Ukraine. It covers an area of ??about forty acres. The zoo's collection of about 3.5 thousand representatives of the fauna from around the world. This research work is conducted on the acclimatization of animals living in distant countries, for conservation and breeding of rare animals such as bison, the Amur tiger, the Przewalski horse, etc.
The story of the Kiev Zoo

Kiev Zoo is an initiative of the Association of Nature Lovers Kiev in 1908. It all started with the exhibition of the fauna of the South Russian Region of Russia from 17 species of mammals and birds. After some time the exhibition has become a permanent and turned into a zoo. In those days, the zoo was at the botanical garden of the University of St. Vladimir (now the University of Taras Shevchenko). The animals were given or were brought from the expedition, scientists of the university. In winter, the fauna of tropical countries placed in the warehouse of the railway station Kiev Product.

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Over time, a collection of animals has grown so much that no longer fit in the allotted it to the botanical garden, in addition, loud cries of the animals disturb the people who lived nearby. So in 1911 the question was raised about moving the zoo to another place, and in the same year, the City Council has allocated a large area in what was then the outskirts of the city. The relief of the terrain was very difficult, full of ravines with humps and not suitable for residential or industrial building, but it went well for the zoo - the complexity of the terrain has been efficiently and successfully used, in the ravines of the former lake constructed for waterfowl, from the upper points are well looked through the prospect of .

All this time the City Council is not allocated funds for the maintenance of the zoo, and has existed through private donations. At the same time the entrance to the zoo was free. But after 1917 the zoo was nationalized and became the property of the state.

Before the Second World War at the zoo, there were about 1,500 animals, but during the Nazi occupation, he was laid waste, the most valuable specimens of the animals were loaded on a train and sent to Germany, and on the territory of the zoo housed a German garrison.

After the liberation of Kiev zoo was renovated. Gradually, there were new enclosures. In 1982 was built by the "Island of beasts." In the period 1998-2003 there were cages "Aviary" - a kind of scope for the content of rare birds - black vultures, and the "Continent bears."

In 1983 the Kiev Zoo has received the status of state and was included in the list of natural reserve fund in 1996 became a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and actively involved in international programs for reproduction of rare and endangered species. Now about the collection of zoo animals, 3500, representatives of 400 species.