More than 60 species of animals were born in Mykolaiv Zoo in 2024

In 2024, more than 60 species of animals were born in Mykolaiv Zoo. Despite the difficulties faced by the zoo over the past year, it continues to work and exchange animals.

This was reported by the online publication Suspilne.

At the end of 2024, Mykolaiv Zoo remained home to more than 400 species of animals. Despite all the challenges, including power outages, lack of drinking water, and a decrease in the number of visitors, the zoo continued to operate.

This year, more than 800 new residents were born in the zoo, including rare species such as servals, pumas and Red Book eagles. The zoo director Volodymyr Topchyi summarized the year as difficult but productive.

"This year we had to save animals and people, and we did it," said the zoo director.

Deputy Director for Zootechnical Issues Yurii Kyrychenko noted that more than 60 species of animals were born in the zoo during the year. Among them are servals, fennecs, pumas and kinkajous. Three cubs were born in the enclosure of a female puma.

Quarantine restrictions due to bird flu prevented the exchange of animals for almost six months, but in December the restrictions were lifted. An exchange with the Cherkasy Zoo is already being prepared, and Gambian rats from Prague and a bison from Hungary are expected to arrive. In addition, the specialists expect the arrival of colleagues from the Odesa Zoo. They will take a couple of young servals to their collection.

The zoo team hopes that the next year will bring more resources for development, as well as new opportunities for international cooperation.

In October, the staff of the Mykolaiv Zoo spoke about the history of the institution's foundation, environmental education, and showed archival photos. Currently, it is actively working in the educational field, organizing various events aimed at raising environmental awareness among visitors.

In Mykolaiv, the commission also approved the reallocation of UAH 2.5 million to support the zoo. It was suggested that the funds be redirected to the enterprise to purchase animal feed.

Recently, police shot a leopard in the Odesa zoo. One of the employees went to clean the enclosure and was attacked by a leopard. Upon arrival, the police found another employee in the leopard's enclosure who tried to help the wounded man and was trapped. To save lives, the police were forced to use their weapons and neutralize the animal.

Анна Літман