New interim head appointed to Odesa Zoo

The interim head of the Odesa City Council, Ihor Koval, has appointed Oksana Termovsyants as acting director of the Odesa Zoo.

The announcement was made by the press service of the Odesa City Council.

Prior to that, she served as the zoo's deputy director for economic affairs, and will be the director for the period until the position of director of the Odesa Zoological Park of National Importance is filled.

In her declaration, she indicated that she owns two apartments in Odesa in half with Volodymyr Varanytsia, and also owns an apartment in Odesa and a plot of land. She has a car - a 2019 KIA NIRO. Her income is a salary of UAH 352.6 thousand, and she receives UAH 2 thousand in support.

Earlier, Ihor Koval said that the relevant regulations on the competition are being developed and the Supervisory Board is being formed. The main goal is to select a professional manager who will be able to effectively develop the institution, taking into account its specifics.

The city council has assured that all stages - from the creation of the Supervisory Board to the appointment of a new director - will be as open and transparent as possible with public involvement.

Recently, a scandal erupted in Odesa over the appointment of a new zoo director, who was handed over without an open competition. The decision has already raised suspicions about the possible influence of private entities and attempts to establish a monopoly.

The position of the director of the Odesa Zoo was transferred to an employee of the private structure Biopark-Nemo without a competition, a commission or an official announcement of the selection of candidates.

On April 15, Ihor Bilyakov announced the completion of his work as director of the Odesa Zoo. According to him, the contract has expired, and he is no longer in charge of the institution to which he has devoted a significant part of his life.

The ex-director also emphasized that he does not plan to completely leave his life's work. He assured that he would continue to support the Odesa Zoo and contribute to its development, even outside of his official position.

Кирило Бойко