Kiev Zoo — Where to go with kids in Kiev
When traveling to Kiev in the spring, summer or autumn with the family, visit the beautiful Kiev parks, zoos, swimming pools, so that your children also enjoyed this trip to Kyiv.
Kiev Zoo
Kiev Zoo that in not too distant past was called the Main Central Kiev Zoo, used to be a terrifying place; it was even called a concentration camp for animals. The reason for this was the massive embezzlement, the lack of qualified personnel and attempts to seize part of such attractive land for construction in the very center of the city.
Changes for the better
Changes for the better began only after the arrival of the new director of the zoo, Kirill Trantin, who set the goal of making the zoo organized again, which could not have been done without improving the welfare of animals; and he succeeded. Now the zoo can again take part in the exchange of animals with different zoos in Europe, which is very important for the key goal of any zoo — research work on the rescue of species.
First, the zoo worked to improve the living conditions of animals already living there — qualified personnel appeared, specialists from Europe began to be involved, proper nutrition was provided, more comfortable enclosures were equipped.
It is planned to spend 500 million hryvnas for these purposes, while the entire reconstruction, according to the Mayor of Kiev (check Kiev tours), will require several billions UAH.
Zoo animals
In addition, almost all animals spend the day on the street — the weather allows. Someone lazily basks in the sun, someone frolics among the greens, and the two-year-old hippo Lily seems to be no longer afraid of the public and is splashing in the renewed outdoor pool (which, by the way, they plan to increase in the future, because the hippo is still growing). In short, visitors already have something to look at.
In addition, in July they plan to present a new universal aviary for birds, as well as present new pets to the public — a new type of deer. They have already been brought to Kiev from Prague, but they are not shown to the public yet, since they first need to adapt. In addition, Kiev Zoo launched active construction of a new zone for the primates with the area of 7.5 thousand square meters — with a pool and playgrounds for monkeys.
Another completely new concept for the Kiev Zoo is a gradual shift away from the enclosures with bars. They will be replaced with new open-air cages, where visitors will only be separated from the animals by glass and, if necessary, a special mesh at the top. At the zoo, they promise that it will not pose a threat to visitors.
In addition, the premises for keeping animals are gradually increasing — in recent years, the sizes of cages of most pets have doubled, and they have been warmed and provided with all sorts of elements for the game, so that the animals have more fun. Fortunately, there is room for expansion at the zoo, because until recently about two thirds of its territory was not used for its intended purpose, and what visitors see today is not the whole area of the zoo.
Kiev Zoo has rather serious plans for replenishing the collection of animals.
If we talk specifically about new species of animals, next year the director of the capital’s zoo plans to replenish the collection with penguins and small red pandas. These species traditionally enjoy great love of zoo visitors around the world. In general, new animals enter the zoo almost every month. For example, recently Kiev Zoo welcomes new hornbills.
In addition, in the future they plan to expand the elephant area. Now fourteen-year-old elephant Horos lives in the Kiev zoo, and by the standards of these huge animals, he is still a teenager. However, according to the workers of the zoo, they have already selected two female elephants in Germany; they will move to Kiev Zoo as soon as the construction of a new, expanded enclosure for elephants is completed.
Recently there was addition to the family of lemurs; now everybody can have a look at these two glorious small animals. It should also be said about famous gorilla Tony, animal with a wise look of man. Once this age male of a gorilla was kept in a small cold cage, because of which he was under constant stress; now he is a local celebrity with a whole set of toys and even his own TV.
On April 1, 2019, the cost of tickets has increased up to 100 hryvnia for adults, 60 hryvnia for students and those having “Kiev resident card”, 50 hryvnia for privileged categories, children under 5 are free. On Wednesdays — all tickets are 50 hryvnia.
In the summer season, Kiev Zoo operates daily from 9am to 6pm, on Mondays from 12pm to 6pm; during holidays there may be changes in the schedule.
Contact Zoo 12 Months
Zoo 12 Months (website only in Ukrainian) is the first animal park in Ukraine, which was created not as an investment, but as the realization of the childish dream of Kiev millionaire. This is a successful businessman who grew up reading the books by English naturalist Gerald Darrell. Mikhail Pinchuk is the owner of the zoo. The result exceeded all expectations — this is the only zoo in our country that works 365 days a year. Here you can enjoy full communication with animals: feed them from your hands, stroke ponies and dwarf pigs.
The zoo is located outside of Kiev (40 km\25 miles).
12 months is the largest private zoo in Ukraine. Thanks to special layout, you will not feel cramped: the rooms and the cages are located in such a way that you will feel like in a small neat town. However, instead of houses, there are aviaries, and the entire population consists of animals. In Demydiv, “apartments” for animals were built with to spare — they simply multiplied the standards adopted by European colleagues by two. If it seems to you that the aviary is empty, then most likely the animal is sleeping in the covered part of its two or three bedroom apartments. All premises are equipped following the example of Czech zoos and convey the real life conditions as much as possible; in their design, you will notice grass, leaves, logs or vines.
On the territory of the zoo, you will see animals from different parts of the world. All of them were born in captivity, brought from circuses and zoos, so that in the new home the animals feel free. At the very entrance, you will see eagle owls. The wolf’s alley is located a little further away — here you can see gray wolves, white polar wolves, as well as red and black species.
Exotic cats and polar bears
On the Island of Cats, you will see white lion and Bengal tiger, caracals, pumas, lynxes, and hyenas and hyena dogs will live next to them. Some animals have already tomed — for example, the lion Ludwig views the world philosophically — why fuss and growl if you can sleep a little more?
Next to the cats, you will notice the homes of bears. Next door, Kamchatka twin bears Toby and Kuba live in their open-air cage with personal pond and live fish — they love to fish and play with each other.
Flirty monkeys and rare inhabitants of southern countries
After all described above, you will find yourself at Primates Island, where all inhabitants live in double cages with many ropes. This is where you can get acquainted with the real monkey princess. Her name is Magda and she generously distributes kisses to visitors, loves sweet tangerines and cute grimaces.
The princess’s tribe also adores attention: favorite activity with a white-nosed monkey is to “stick” to the glass with its hands and feet and look at the guests.
Birds and animals that love to contact man
In addition to hundreds of species of inhabitants of the enclosures, peacocks and pelicans freely roam the streets of the town. The latter often fly over the fence, and workers have to catch them and return them back to the lake. Moreover, the best part is yet to come — you can feed all the animals on your own, but only in a special time, and you don’t need to take any food with you — you can buy it on the spot for a symbolic price.
In the enclosures for predators, you will find special pipes and piston systems installed so that you can safely treat animals with meat.
Disney castle in the middle of the park
12 months is the only Disney-style zoo. Here you can dine in a huge castle, the copy of Neuschwanstein Palace: you saw it at the very beginning of cartoons by Walt Disney studio.
The kitchen and interior are fully consistent with the Bavarian style: costumes, songs, sausages and, of course, German beer. Delicious Bavarian sausages are complemented by children’s menu. You can walk along the artificial lake with sturgeon located next to the castle; for extra fee, you can go fishing. In the central square you can relax on the benches, try delicious ice cream and refreshing drinks. In addition, you can also admire the fabulous fountain located near the palace — this is a real work of art.
Entrance fee to 12 Months Zoo is 170 UAH, for children (for children 3–7 years old or less than 120 cm tall) it is 60 UAH, for children under 3 years of age entry is free if there are documents identifying the child and his age.
Mezhyhirya Zoo
The total area of the former residence of Yanukovich in Mezhyhirya is almost 140 hectares. In one day, it is almost impossible to go around it. At least, if you plan to walk. The territory is very big, and has few steep climbs, so for a visit to the park it is better to choose the most comfortable shoes and take the map. In addition, we advise you to bring snacks with you: in the park, you can buy only drinks, ice cream and cotton candy.
The zoo is located outside of Kiev (30 km\20 miles).
What kind of animals can you see in the zoo?
There is a huge number of animals in the residence. This is a true oasis of fauna in the middle of a noisy metropolis. Animals are kept in good conditions there; the activists and workers of the zoo are doing their best: cages and premises are fresh and clean, animals look well-groomed, food is regularly supplied.
Wild animals
There are many of them: wild boars, European sheep, mouflons, deer, fallow deer, ostriches and others. Nearby are open-air cages with rare species of birds: majestic bustards, magnificent peacocks, demoiselle cranes and bright parrots.
Representatives of the Red Book of Ukraine
The highlights of the Yanukovich zoo collection in Mezhyhirya are brown bears and rare bird species: a large bustard bird, steppe crane, and several pheasant breeds (diamond, gold, royal and Himalayan). What is their feature? Each of the above listed bird species is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. Therefore, to see them live, and not just in the pictures is a real luck!
Mezhyhirya itself is also interesting for its history, both ancient and modern. The entire territory of the park once belonged to President of Ukraine Yanukovych.
Now it is a public park and museum of corruption, where one can enjoy Guided Tour in English.
Contact:
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