02 August 2026

Due to protests nearby, the Odessa Zoo has changed its Saturday schedule

(PHOTO: https://chornemore.com/)

<span><span><span><span><span><span>The Odessa Zoo has shortened its Saturday hours. From now on, it will be open to visitors on Saturdays only from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>The Odessa Zoo announced this on social media. </span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>The post noted that the schedule change is due to events held near the zoo every Saturday and in response to numerous requests from visitors regarding comfortable visiting conditions.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>“It is extremely important to us that a visit to the zoo be peaceful, safe, and comfortable, especially for children and families,” the zoo wrote. </span></span></span></span></span></span>

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

Previously, members of the Odesa City Council were unable to immediately reach an agreement on the role of the supervisory board and the procedure for appointing the director. CouncilwomanAnastasia Bolshvedvorovasharply criticized the proposed model, stating that under the guise of reform, a “shadow body” is in fact being created. According to her, instead of creating new structures, the focus should be on holding an open competition for the positionofzoodirector. She also emphasized that supervisory boards do not operate at any zoo in Ukraine, and that the proposed board would duplicate the powers of the relevant department.

Юлія Калабайда

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