Odessa Zoo. Nature reserve of Odessa

The idea of creation of a zoo in Odessa was in 1889 when the drawing and the plan «the Menagerie in Police street» had been made, however to realize this project it was not possible. The following step to creation of a zoo was undertaken in 1914 - the project of its construction in territory of the botanical garden, approved by a municipal power, but 1-st World War started, and then civil war have prevented to these plans. Only in 1922 construction of a zoo in Odessa in Primorskiy Boulevard, down from garden of Vorontsov Palace began. The main merit in the organization of the first zoo in Odessa belongs to Henry Bejzert.

Despite of the greater done work - grottoes for lions, bears and tigers, pools for birds were constructed, a play slide for mountain goats - in activity of a zoo there were many problems. It as insufficient financing, and in fact unsuitable territory for satisfactory accommodation of animals. City authorities accepted the decision to close a zoo.

In December, 1927 it was declared contest for the best the project of a zoo in Odessa Ukraine. At once three projects were accepted as a basis of construction of the future zoo. Construction of a zoo started in Arcadia area in 1929 In the specified territory in Arcadia at full speed there were prospecting works - have been performed landscape works, dams on the main avenue are built. But also this project has not been carried out.

Despite of all difficulties, G.V.Bejzert continued to operate tirelessly. In 1933 is entrusted to it a management of branch of 4-th state menagerie close to Privoz market. The establishment belonged to State circus which some years placed the menagerie in Odessa city garden, and then and in territory of Privoz Market.

During same time under the decision of city authorities to close Christian cemetery was issued and in the end of 30th years in the released territory there was a park and a zoo. Opening of a zoo on 25 Novoshchepnoy Street for visitors took place in 1938.

In 90th years scientific specialization of a zoo was defined: «the Rare and disappearing animal south of Ukraine». The unique nursery in Ukraine on a content and cultivation of birds of prey and owls has been created.
In 1992 Odessa zoo has received the status of nature reserve of nation-wide value.

Today the collection of the Odessa zoo totals 1590 animals - representatives of 243 types, a part from which are brought in the International Red Book, the European Red list and the Red book of Ukraine.

Many inhabitants of a zoo with advantage are made multiply copies in bondage. They are the famous Indian elephants, Far East leopards, horses Przevalskiy, baboons-hamadryads, brown bears, steppe cranes, falcons, eagle owls, etc.

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