Light, warmth and comfort of Odesa Zoo

The idea to give the city its own zoo originated back in 1899, during the preparation of the celebrations in honor of the centenary of Odesa’s foundation. However, this attempt, as well as several subsequent ones, did not continue. It was only in 1938, thanks to the inexhaustible energy of the head of the Pivdenklimat company, Heinrich Vladimirovich Beisert, that the city got a long-awaited zoo on the basis of the 4th State Zoo, which was located in Ilyichevsky Park. The park still operates today in the same location, next to the legendary Privoz.

Just a year after Ukraine gained its independence, the Odesa Zoo received national status and became part of the country’s nature reserve fund.

The rich collection includes 153 species of various animals, including 24 rare ones listed in the Red Book: International, European and Ukrainian. Thanks to the care of the zoo staff, the animals and birds not only feel comfortable, but also successfully reproduce. Today, the zoo’s collection includes more than 720 specimens. Walking through its territory, Odesa residents and guests can see Far Eastern leopards, Przewalski’s horses, Turkmen kulans, European mouflons, peacocks, brown bears, steppe cranes, owls and many other rare and interesting representatives of the animal world of our planet. A beautiful aqua terrarium introduces visitors to an interesting collection of amphibians and reptiles.

In addition to extensive educational work, the Odesa Zoo also carries out extensive scientific work, specializing in rare and endangered animals of the southern regions of Ukraine. The first nursery in Ukraine was created in Odesa to breed and raise owls and birds of prey, including bald eagles. It is worth noting that this is a unique zoo for Ukraine, where Indian elephants are born from time to time.
The Odesa Zoo is of national importance, which implies an appropriate level of organization. In an effort to meet this level, the zoo’s employees spend a lot of time and effort to make the animals feel comfortable there.

The operation of such a sensitive complex as a zoo is unthinkable without a stable supply of electricity. Lighting, water supply, cooking, cleaning, security – all elements of the zoo’s life support require a stable round-the-clock electricity supply. Anticipating the possibility of periodic disconnection of the enterprise from the city power grid, in October 2014, the management of the Odesa Zoo purchased a stand-alone diesel power plant of the Dalgakiran brand with a capacity of 50 kVA. This diesel generator is used as a backup source of power supply and has proved its reliability and indispensability. Thanks to the careful installation and maintenance of the unit performed by Dalgakiran employees, the animals spent the entire winter with light, warmth and comfort, unaware of the problems of the city’s power grid, and thus will continue to delight residents and guests of the wonderful city, which is located “by the blue sea”.