The pride and favorite place of Kharkiv citizens is undoubtedly the zoo. Here you can not only relax from the bustle of the city, but also «plunge» into another, simple and kind world — the world of animals. Everyone from small to large loves this place, located in the very center of the city near Shevchenko Garden.
Modern zoo
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The modern zoo is vast and rich, its area is 22 hectares, and the collection of animals has 6674 animals of 387 species. It was not easy to create this miracle, it took Alexander Brandt and other organizers almost 10 years to get permission to build the «aquarium» — the predecessor of the current zoo. On the territory of the aquarium it was planned to breed mulberry trees, arrange bird houses, fish farms and beekeeping and silk-breeding station. The decision of the City Duma on the location of the future zoo changed several times. Among the considered variants were Nikolayevsky square, Mironositsky square, and, finally, University garden, on the territory of which in 1896 the aquarium was created. Tremendous work was done: a poultry house was built to demonstrate breeds of domestic and wild birds, a vivarium and an aquarium were opened. Of particular interest to both adults and children was the exposition of the museum of beekeeping, where you could see hives of different designs, tools and equipment beekeeper.
Kharkovsky Zoo before the revolution was a luxurious place of recreation with a large number of animals, birds and fish. The revolution caused impressive damage to the zoo. The 20s can be called the «golden» years of reconstruction and restoration. The premises were repaired, the territory of the zoo was considerably expanded, the landscape was improved. Since 1926 after the construction of warm rooms it became possible to visit the zoo in winter. In 1928 the zoo’s inhabitants became much larger, leopards, lionesses, Bennett’s kangaroos, raccoons, monkeys of more than 10 species, parrots, pelicans, porcupines and other animals appeared. A zoological museum opens, where visitors can admire more than 300 specimens of stuffed domestic and wild animals, a collection of skeletons and horns.But all the achievements were lost during the Great Patriotic War. The zoo suffered huge losses: valuable specimens of animals and fish perished, fences and pens for animals were destroyed. The post-war years can be called the «second birth» of the zoo, we had to start practically from scratch. Up to the 90s of the XX century the zoo was restored, expanded, replenished with animals, birds and fish. After the collapse of the USSR came hard times. In 1995 the program of renewal and development of Kharkov Zoo was adopted, as a result of which the zoo acquired its former grandeur.
In 2010, the zoo celebrates its 115th anniversary. But as before, it is waiting for all those who want to have fun, relax, «plunge» into the world of childhood.
Contacts:
г. Kharkiv, Sumskaya str. 35.
Reception: (057) 705-44-90
science@kharkov.ukrtel.net