A new director has been appointed at the Odessa Zoo

The Odessa Zoological Park, a national-level institution, has appointed a new acting director. Effective August 7, the first deputy director, Oksana Rutskaya, has been appointed to serve as the acting head of the institution.

The corresponding order was signed by the acting mayor and secretary of the Odessa City Council, Ihor Koval.

According to the document, Oksana Rutskaya will temporarily serve as acting director until a new director is appointed in accordance with current legislation.

At the same time, the previous order dated April 22, 2026, which had assigned the duties of director to Oleg Termovsesyants, has been revoked .

The personnel changes were made in response to a request from the director of the Odessa City Council’s Department of Culture, Tourism, and Cultural Heritage Protection.

Previously, the Odessa Zoo reduced its Saturday hours. The schedule change is due to events held every Saturday near the zoo’s grounds and in response to numerous requests from visitors regarding comfortable recreational conditions.

Animal rights protests under the slogan “We Are Alive, We Are Not Exhibits” are ongoing near the main entrance to the Odessa Zoo. Activists are demanding improved conditions for the animals, transparency in the institution’s operations, and thecreation of a supervisory board. 

Previously, members of the Odessa City Council were unable to immediately reach an agreement on the role of the supervisory board and the procedure for appointing the director. Councilwoman Anastasia Bolshvedvorova sharplycriticized the proposed model, stating that under the guise of reform, a “shadow body” is in fact being created.

Андрій Колісніченко