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Kharkiv Zoo History
XIX century
1892
1897-1899
1901
1902
The beginning of the XX century
1919
1924
1925
1928
1953
1955
XIX century
XIX century
The history of the zoo began in the 90s of the XIX century, when, on the initiative of Professor Oleksandr Fedorovych Brandt, an attempt was made to organize an "aquarium" in the city.
1892
1892
The idea of building the "aquarium" had its opponents as well. On July 23, 1892, Professor Yuriy Ivanovych Morozov spoke at a meeting of Kharkiv City Duma. He noted that the creation of "aquarium" was a good idea, but still not entirely thought out. In particular, Morozov sharply criticized the construction site - Nikolaevsky Square; based on the article by AF Brandt in "Niva", expressed the opinion that this "grandiose idea" could not fit on an area of 100-144 square meters. Therefore, according to Morozov, the decision of the Duma had been postponed until a more detailed plan of the "aquarium" and the Zoo was presented.
1897-1899
1897-1899
Publication in "Izvestia of the South Russian Society of Acclimatization in 1897-1899" and "A Brief Guide to the Institutions of the South Russian Society of Acclimatization" in 1905 confirmed that in 1895, on a small area of land (about 2,5 hectares) of the experimental field of the University Garden, the society opened a beekeeping and silkworm station located in a wooden house. The construction of this house (now the building of the zoo directorate) was carried out according to the project and with the participation of the brothers of architects S.I. and I.I. Zagorskin. The second structure, a small poultry house, was raised nearby. Due to its small size, it was only possible to accommodate domestic breeding birds, and there was no access for visitors. This was the beginning of Kharkiv Zoo - the third zoo in the Russian Empire.
1901
1901
In 1901, the South Russian Society of Acclimatization opened a fish farming and fishing department, and also started organizing an aquarium. Since then, the vivarium and aquarium have been regularly replenished with animals of the local fauna and exotic species.
1902
1902
In 1902, funded by a member of the society Ludwig Fedorovych Damroff, a new poultry house was built, covered with tiles. The pediment of the building was crowned with the inscription “Aviary of Kharkiv Poultry Society. Branch of the South Russian Society of Acclimatization ". Inside the premises rooms were equipped for the study of researchers, a gatehouse, five winter rooms with walking and summer enclosures for waterfowl. This building was designed by a prominent expert in the field of agricultural architecture, Professor Kosyakov. In the premises of the former poultry house, silkworms were bred. Now we have an opportunity to demonstrate new breeds of domestic and species of wild birds.
The beginning of the XX century
The beginning of the XX century
Entrance to Kharkiv Zoo. The beginning of the XX century there were two round pointed turrets with posters with the inscription: “Acclimatization Bureau. Poultry house, beekeeper, vivarium, aquarium, beekeeping station, museum. The entrance fee is 5 kopecks. Walk through the University Garden. "
1919
1919
At the origins of the revival of Kharkiv zoo after the revolution was a graduate of the natural department of the physics and mathematics faculty of the university, later a prominent scientist Viktor Grygorovych Averin. Being a student, on the basis of the zoo, he performed a number of works on ornithology and entomology, then he became the head of the entomological bureau of Kharkiv provincial zemstvo. On the initiative of V.G. Averin, hunting courses were opened at the central council of VUSOR, and the Ukrainian research station for hunting was created. The magazines "Hunting and Fishing", "Nature and Hunting in Ukraine" were published, on the pages there was an appeal for the worldwide replenishment of zoological gardens in Ukraine.
1924
1924
During a business trip to the regional center of Akhtyrka (now Sumy region) V. G. Averin met the red commander Nikolai Petrovych Evald, who served as the head of the general education department in Akhtyrka military registration and enlistment office. Being convinced of the extensive erudition of Ewald, Averin invited him to come to Kharkiv and start the revival of the zoological garden. Nikolai Petrovych gladly accepted this offer. On September 15, 1924, Ewald was demobilized from the ranks of the Red Army, moved with his family, and on October 1, 1924, he became the head of the zoo, with territory 5 hectares.
1925
1925
In 1925, thanks to the efforts of the head of the zoo, N.P. Ewald, in Hamburg, the elephant Moka was bought from the famous trapper and animal dealer Karl Hagenbeck for 5300 rubles. The arrival of a new inhabitant of the zoo was recorded on film by photojournalists of most republican and local newspapers. In 1928, the male Yambo joined Moke. According to the zoo attendants, Yambo had a very “tough” temper.
1928
1928
In May 1928, a train with animals arrived from Hamburg. It consisted of: a lioness, a female leopard and a llama, a pair of Bennett's kangaroos, raccoons, African civets, mongooses, 10 monkeys of different species, 10 species of parrots, pink pelicans, barnacle geese. In June, 6 porcupines, 9 Dalmatians, 7 swans and 96 specimens of various waterfowl were delivered from Lankaran. In 1928, the zoo received lions, fallow deer, bactrian camel, buffalo, wolves, pelicans, pheasants, wild ducks.
1953
1953
In 1953, elephants appeared in Kharkiv Zoo again. The first to arrive was the elephant Maya, who was born at Leipzig Zoo. She came to us from Kiev, where she came as a trophy after the victory of the USSR over Nazi Germany.
1955
1955
In August 1955, the elephant Bak-Zap came to the zoo. He was born in Ban-me-Thaut province in the south of Central Vietnam in 1915. For thirty years the elephant had been living in the family of a wealthy peasant, who used it for logging and transporting goods. In 1945, Bak-Zap was mobilized into the army to transport ammunition, guns and shells. The elephant worked without eating for 12 hours a day, covering distances of up to 50 km. He calmly endured the combat situation - the explosions of shells and bombs, skillfully maneuvered in ravines and gorges, he was well trained and obedient. The elephant traveled from Odessa to Kharkiv by train. Imprisoned in a sturdy rail cage lined with thick boards, he could not see what was happening around him. Then, with blows of tusks and trunk, the elephant knocked out the boards, threw away all the wooden upholstery and remained only in an iron cage. People gathered at the stations around the cage. Bak-Zap held out his trunk to the audience, begged for delicacies, and he was presented with watermelons, bread and apples. So he arrived in Kharkiv. He walked to the zoo, accompanied by a huge crowd of people.
Nature Reserve Fund of Ukraine
Nature Reserve Fund of Ukraine
The nature reserve fund of Ukraine includes land and water areas, as well as natural complexes and objects of special environmental, recreational, scientific and other value, allocated for the purpose of preserving the gene pool of the animal and plant world, the natural diversity of landscapes, providing background monitoring of the natural environment and maintaining the overall ecological balance.

The State management of the nature reserve fund of Ukraine is carried out by the State Service of Nature Conservation- government body within the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Ukraine.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get to the zoo

When is the Zoo open?

Now the zoo is closed for the reconstruction. As soon as the opening date of the zoo is known, you can find out about it on the official information resource of the zoo. Follow the news on our website.


What is the address of the Zoo to enter in the navigator?

Address of the zoo: Kharkiv, Sumskaya str., 35


Where is the nearest parking?

The zoo has two parking spaces. From Klochkivska St. (South entrance) and Klochkivska descent (North entrance).


Can a person with disabilities enter the territory of the Zoo by car?

Entry to the territory of the zoo by car is prohibited for all categories of the population.


Where to eat?

Is there a restaurant in the Zoo and when is it open?

There are three restaurants on the territory of the zoo. The schedule of their work, as well as the menu, can be found here.


Is it possible to grill your own food at the Zoo?

Cooking and making a fire on the territory of the zoo are strictly prohibited.


Is it possible to eat your own food in the Zoo's interior?

The interior is not intended for eating.

Animals

When does the animal feed take place?

Feeding of most species occurs in the first half of the day. The exception is twilight animals. Some species receive food several times a day.


What time is the best time to see animals?

Animals choose where to stay: in front of visitors or in a cozy shelter, in an open aviary or indoors. But most likely to see the animals during feeding.


What animals can you see in winter?

The collection of Kharkiv Zoo presents animals that feel good in our climate all year round. Therefore, during a visit to the zoo in winter, you will be able to see most of the species. The exception is animals that fall into winter sleep, such as brown and Himalayan bears.


Can I feed or pet animals?

Feeding animals or trying to touch or stroke them in any way are prohibited in all exhibition areas, except for the "Children's Zoo" zone. In the exhibition "Children's Zoo", which our young children are engaged in, you can feed the animals, pet them and get a lot of pleasant emotions from communicating with our pets.


Are there any polar bears, giraffes or elephants in the Zoo?

Yes. The collection of  Kharkiv Zoo is very interesting and diverse. You can get acquainted with the species diversity here.


Where do animals get to the zoo?

Animals get the zoo in several ways:

- from other zoos on exchange programs;

- thanks to national and international animal breeding programs;

- due to the breeding of animals within the walls of our zoo;

- rarely-we buy animals.


Do animals have names?

Yes, animals have names. Basically, they are given by keepers-employees who take care of the animal.

During a visit to the Zoo

Where can I find a map of the Zoo?

A map of the zoo can be found here and on the information stands located on the territory of the zoo, in particular at the entrance.


Can I book a baby stroller, pushchair or wheelchair?

The zoo does not provide such services.


Can I bring my own bike or scooter?

Adult visitors travel on foot. For safety reasons, the movement of all vehicles is prohibited. This applies to rollers, scooters, bicycles, skateboards, monowheels, gyrometers and Segway. But children's bicycles, scooters, sleds are allowed.


Can I take my dog with me?

Taking pets to the zoo is strictly prohibited.


Can I take photos of animals and post my own photos?

For personal purposes, yes. Especially successful, funny pictures send us to the address (e-mail) and we will publish them on the official pages of the zoo in social networks.


Where is smoking allowed in the Zoo?

The zoo is a smoke-free zone. Smoking is prohibited in the zoo.

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