Zoos, as places where animals are imprisoned for life, are some of the most debated attractions of modern times. Ideally, they should be places where animals are kept for the purpose of preserving specific species, studying their psychology and interpersonal communication. That is, they should be scientific and educational institutions where people can see individuals living in other physiographic regions.
Animal-friendly ZOOs are recognized as institutions in Berlin, Barcelona, Dubai and San Diego. Everyone knows the work done by Gerald Durrell at the Jersey Zoo to create a comfortable environment for each individual kept in the «reserve». It was the basis for the arrangement of all modern Animal Houses. Simultaneously with them there are hundreds of establishments on earth, which are very far from the title of «Zoo of high culture of life». One of these negative characters was the so-called Contact Zoo, located on the spit of Arabatskaya Strelka, near the village of Schastlivtsevo.
This menagerie settled on the Arabatska Strelka in 2010. The owners have gathered a good collection of wild animals, as for a private zoo. Tourists can see brown bear and gray wolf, llama and camel, raccoon and porcupine, ostriches and pelicans. The pearl of the collection is recognized as a pair of Berber lions, the males of which are proud of their luxurious fiery-black mane. But, the animals in Arabatka are kept in unfit for life small rooms, more like prison cells. They are deprived of quality care and proper feeding, so in 90 cases out of 100 Arabatskiy menagerie makes a depressing impression on its visitors. Of course, it will not be able to keep up with the black glory of the Kiev Zoo, but its leading place in the list of depressive zoo-reservations is assured.
The only pleasant moment while visiting this bio-corner is the possibility for visitors to «socialize» with several kinds of the safest animals. These are ponies and donkeys, rabbits and monkeys, with whom you can take pictures or watch them eat the food brought by guests.
This Contact Zoo is the weakest attraction of the Arabatskaya Spit. Its commercial success on the background of poor care of animals is explained only by the fact that on holiday in Schastlivcevo come many families with children, and other — traditionally tourist entertainment, on the spit Arabatska arrow really absent.