Russia is a country that occupies a vast territory. This determines the diversity of fauna representatives. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the fact that zoos, safari parks, and reserves are open in many cities of the country.
Zoos in Russia are places organized not only to show animals to visitors. Very often scientific work is carried out within the walls of parks. They are engaged in the study of animals in order to preserve and reproduce them. A visit to the zoo is a great pastime for the whole family. Children watching animals in zoos in Russia in conditions close to their habitat learn to love and understand nature.
Overview of the best zoos
The first zoos appeared many centuries ago. In those days, animals often died due to improper conditions. These were real prisons for hundreds of representatives of the world of fauna. Today, visiting the zoo is an exciting journey into the world of wildlife. What zoos are there in Russia, which animals are kept there?
Number and types of containedour smaller brothers depend on the type of institution being described. These can be aquariums, dolphinariums, safari parks, petting zoos. Listed below are the places that, judging by the reviews, have received the most response from visitors.
Petting zoos
In Russia, petting zoos have recently become increasingly popular. A feature of this type of institution is the opportunity not only to observe, but also to contact with animals. These are not the largest zoos in Russia, but visiting them will undoubtedly bring a lot of positive emotions. Tactile communication with animals was especially liked by children.
The opening of petting zoos in Russia causes a lot of criticism from animal advocates. This is quite understandable. In addition to the fact that the animals are kept in captivity, they also have to endure constant anxiety from visitors. To protect our smaller brothers in such zoos, several rules must be observed.
Establishment owners are required to provide animals with a special place and time to rest. And parents, before going to the zoo, should explain to their children how to treat the inhabitants of such places.
Safari Park
A visit to a safari park gives you the opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat. Such parks occupy a fairly large area, and excursions are organized for guests. Initially, safari was called hunting for wild animals in African countries. Today, in safari parks, you can arrange a photo hunt for animals. In terms of comfortanimal welfare, this kind of demonstration obviously wins. Animals are in their natural environment, their movements are not limited by the walls of the enclosure.
One of the best safari-type zoos in Russia is the Taigan park, located near Simferopol, the Gelendzhik safari park, the Kudykina Gora park in the Lipetsk region.
You can walk through the Taigan Park, which covers an area of approximately thirty hectares, on observation bridges suspended directly above the heads of predators.
The cableway in Gelendzhik, stretching for a distance of more than one and a half thousand kilometers, will allow not only to see wild animals living in the park, but also to enjoy beautiful views of mountain landscapes. The park "Kudykina Gora" occupies a vast territory - 500 hectares. Free-grazing representatives of the fauna lead their lives on this square.
Novosibirsk Zoo
Novosibirsk Zoo is one of the largest zoos in Russia. It was founded in 1947 and is located on an area of more than sixty hectares. In addition, it takes pride of place in many ratings of zoos, the most popular among visitors. In 2008 it was a finalist in the Seven Wonders of Russia competition, in 2015 it was ranked eighteenth among the best zoos in the world, and also ranked ninth in the list of the best such institutions in Europe.
As many visitors to the park say, bypass itin one day is not possible. More than 10,000 inhabitants have found their homes in this area. In total, the Novosibirsk Zoo has 770 animal species, 350 of which are endangered and rare species. International studbooks are maintained for 110 species. The zoo is actively involved in endangered species conservation activities.
The snow leopard is a special pride and symbol of the zoo. Representatives of this species live within the walls of the park for about fifty years. During this time, thanks to the efforts of the institution's employees, thirty-eight leopard cubs were raised.
Udmurt Zoo
The zoo in Izhevsk was opened in 2008. On the opening day, September 10, more than thirty thousand people visited it. And today the park is a favorite vacation spot for residents and guests of the republic. This is one of the three best zoos in Russia, the ninth in the list of European institutions of this type.
The zoo is home to more than four hundred animals of one hundred and twenty species. One of the first animals to settle in the eighteen hectares of the park was the bronze wolf Akella, which is its symbol.
Due to the clear division into zoogeographic zones, the park is easy to navigate. Thirteen expositions are open on the territory. "White North" will tell about the life of walruses and fur seals, polar bears and polar owls. The Far East is home to Amur tigers and Far Eastern leopards. And the exposition"Our Taiga" will introduce visitors to taiga animals: lynx, sable, marten, brown bear.
Limpopo in Nizhny Novgorod
Limpopo Private Zoo, founded in 2003, is small in size, less than six hectares. But, despite this, it ranks twenty-fifth among zoos in Europe. The symbol is an owl, which laid the foundation for its formation.
The current director of Limpopo once saved an owl. The bird was injured and could not survive in its habitat. Therefore, an aviary was built for her. Later, squirrels found by the townspeople, a wolf from the Kostroma circus joined the owl. This is how the zoo gradually grew and developed.
Today almost one and a half thousand animals of two hundred and thirty species live there. The institution is maximally adapted for visitors. Children and adults have the opportunity to pet animals in the petting zoo and feed wild animals with special food. In addition, the park has a botanical garden with more than two hundred and fifty species of tropical plants, a cafe, a playground, and an amusement park.
Roev Creek Park
Roev Brook covers an area of 31 hectares. This flora and fauna park is located in Krasnoyarsk, not far from the Stolby nature reserve. It opened its doors to visitors in 2000. In the place where the park is located, in ancient times a stream flowed, in which gold was mined. In this regard, the park got its name (“swarms” - from the word “dig”).
The richest collection of representatives of flora and faunaallowed the park to enter the top five zoos in Europe. More than four and a half thousand animals live here - representatives of seven hundred species. According to visitors, the penguinarium and the dinosaur park are especially popular.
This place is also famous for its collection of plants, which has almost five hundred species and varieties. "Roev Ruchey" is constantly developing, replenishing its collection. Following this, the need to increase the territory increases. In the future, it is planned to expand the park to fifty-four hectares.
Moscow Zoo
Moscow Zoo is the oldest zoo in Russia. It has been in existence for over one hundred and fifty years. During its long history, it has experienced difficult times. In the eighties of the last century, the buildings were badly dilapidated due to lack of funding. Mass reconstruction began in the 1990s on the initiative of Moscow Mayor Luzhkov.
The zoo is located in the center of the capital and occupies twenty-one hectares of area. Its peculiarity is the presence of a zoo nursery located one hundred kilometers from the city. They are involved in the reproduction of rare animals and the development of optimal ways to keep them. The activities of the nursery are aimed at preserving endangered species of fauna.
The zoo is home to more than five thousand animals, which you can get acquainted with by visiting one of the fifty expositions. According to visitors' opinions, the Children's Zoo is of particular interest to children, which presents animals - the heroes of fascinating fairy tales.
Yaroslavl Zoo
Among Russian zoos, Yaroslavl Zoo is the largest in terms of area. One of the most extensive zoological gardens in Russia opened relatively recently - in 2008. At that time, it occupied fourteen hectares, and its inhabitants were four hundred and fifty animals. To date, the territory of the zoo has increased significantly and is 123 hectares. The number of animals has also increased, now there are about one thousand seven hundred.
A feature of the Yaroslavl Zoo is its arrangement. This is the first landscape-type park in Russia and CIS countries. The main goal of the management of this institution calls familiarization with nature of visitors. This is facilitated by a contact corner opened within the walls of the park.
The zoo does not seek to maximize the collection of animals, considering it a paramount task to provide the most comfortable conditions for their maintenance, close to their natural habitat.
