Mykolaiv Zoo celebrates its 125th anniversary: how the war has affected the animals’ lives

On Sunday, 26 April, Mykolaiv Zoo celebrates its 125th anniversary. During four years of full-scale war, the zoo has come under Russian shelling twice. Furthermore, the zoo currently has limited funding and covers part of its expenses itself. Despite this, the facility is maintaining its animal collection and preparing for the new season.

This is reported by NikVesti.

Mykolaiv Zoo is the only one in Ukraine that is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Its official opening date is considered to be 26 April 1901, making it one of the oldest zoos in Ukraine. It was founded by the then mayor, Mykola Leontovych, who opened his own collection of animals to visitors.

A series of events is planned for the zoo’s anniversary in May. In particular, on 24 May, free entry and a festive programme will be organised for children. Also, on 22 May, a gala evening will take place at the Ukrainian Theatre of Drama and Musical Comedy.

Zoo director Volodymyr Topchii says that despite the war and difficult conditions, they have managed to keep both the animals and the staff, although visitor numbers have fallen significantly.

«Visitor numbers have fallen by 50% compared to before the war. Whereas we used to have 320,000 visitors a month, last year we had 150,000. At the same time, we generated 28 million hryvnias in revenue last year. And most importantly, we have preserved our animal collection and our staff, because people are what matter most. Without people, there would be nothing. People are the most important thing,» said Volodymyr Topchii.

According to him, the financial situation remains difficult. Last year, 90 million hryvnias were spent on maintaining the zoo, of which only 53 million came from the budget, whilst the rest had to be covered by our own revenue and assistance from partners.

«Don’t ask why I have tears in my eyes. The budget is tight. Last year, we spent 90 million hryvnias just on maintaining the zoo, of which 53 million hryvnias came from the budget, and we had to raise the rest ourselves. This year the situation is even more difficult: taking prices into account, we’ve added another 3 million for feed, but we paid 1.2 million hryvnias for electricity alone last month. It’s hard to predict what will happen next. At present, the zoo survives largely thanks to state funding, as well as support from European partners. We are still gradually using funds raised back in 2022. If those funds weren’t there, it’s hard to say how the situation would have turned out. But, as they say, ‘the eyes may fear, but the hands must act,» says the director.

Currently, around 170 people work at the zoo. The facility has critical infrastructure status, so some staff are on standby. At the same time, nearly 12 employees are serving at the front. Three people have been killed.

Despite the war, the zoo continues to update its animal collection and take part in exchanges with other zoos. Last year, new animals were brought in, and this year there have already been additions.

«Last year we brought in capybaras. They need the temperature to be +18°C at night. But the nights are still very cold, so we’re not letting them out. If the weather permits, we’ll let them out. For now, they’re indoors with the tapirs. We’re worried the animals might catch a cold. This year, we’ve had kangaroos born. Four pumas were also born. In about a week, we’ll be travelling to Odesa to collect a female camel that was born there. We previously sent a male there for breeding, and now we’re bringing the animal back,» says Volodymyr Topchii.

In preparation for the new season, the zoo is carrying out maintenance work: clearing the grounds, cleaning the pools and restoring the infrastructure. It should be noted that in April, the zoo appealed to local residents to help clear the large ponds of silt. The «Second Breath» Narcological Centre and the Centre for the Reintegration of Homeless People responded to the call.

«We unexpectedly had to clean the pool. We’re now filling it with water. It was cleaned less than a year ago, but ice formed over the winter, and our water isn’t chlorinated—it comes from a borehole. It went off under the ice, so we had to drain everything and clean it all over again. That took nearly a month. We’ve now opened the valves and started filling the pool with water,» says Volodymyr Topchii.

The condition of the greenery remains a separate issue. Due to climate change and the prolonged heatwave, some of the trees have to be felled.

«Unfortunately, the park is dying. Over the past four years, we have lost a large number of trees. We’ve already calculated that this year we’ll have to cut down over 30 birches. The reason is the intense heat. We’ve had very high temperatures for four years running, and the birches can’t withstand it. Even watering doesn’t help. This situation isn’t just at the zoo, but across the city as a whole. In fact, almost all the birches in the zoo have died,» he noted.

Volodymyr Topchii added that, along with the birches, coniferous trees are also dying in the zoo. He also says that the blue spruces on the central avenue will eventually have to be removed due to climate change and the lack of rain, so they will be replaced with more resilient species.

The zoo has also reopened its museum, which houses several thousand animal exhibits. According to Volodymyr Topchii, it has been incorporated into the Old Fleet Barracks Museum, effectively making it a branch.

«The museum is unique, as no other zoo in Ukraine has one like it. A few years ago, we managed to make it part of the Old Fleet Barracks Museum’s collection. In effect, it is now a branch of that museum. The museum was established back in 1987. In 2022, it was dismantled. I created this museum myself,» shared the zoo director.

A special award — the «Star of Mykolaiv Zoo» — has been prepared for staff to mark the anniversary. It will be presented to employees with at least 15 years’ service. A total of 75 such awards were produced. In addition, the zoo has other honours, including the Leontovych Order and a commemorative award marking the 120th anniversary. Last year, the staff were also honoured for their participation in the city’s defence.

Photo report

Photo: Serhii Ovcharyshyn