How the "Mykolaiv Zoo" operates during wartime (video)

The director of the "Mykolaiv Zoo," Volodymyr Topchiy, shared how the zoo managed to preserve its collection of animals and how they operate during wartime.

He discussed this in a segment of the program "Sніданок."

Currently, the "Mykolaiv Zoo" is the largest zoo in Ukraine, housing over 400 species of animals and more than 4,000 individuals.

Volodymyr Topchiy recalls how on the early morning of February 24, 2022, he learned about the start of the full-scale invasion and what followed:

- In the morning, my friend called me and said: "Volodya, there is a war!". The zoo was closed on the second day of the war. Shelling began, and transport stopped operating. Then there was no water, then no electricity, then no food, and then no money, - said the zoo director.

He notes that the local residents provided significant support to the zoo during this challenging time, bringing food for the animals and transporting water in barrels from Odesa and Kirovohrad.

Volodymyr Topchiy also explained how the world became aware of the "Mykolaiv Zoo," prompting people to buy "online tickets" so that the management could fund the purchase of animal feed.

- We already had this option – buy a ticket online. On March 18, I came home late. The phone rang, and they said: "You are being contacted by Voice of America from Washington." The journalist started asking how we were managing. I explained how we were operating and requested: "please, if you can, buy a ticket online." It was very emotional; I broke down in tears. Tickets were purchased from all over the world – Australia, Israel, Spain, America, Mexico, - recounted Volodymyr Topchiy.

Ukrainian zoos also received financial support from European zoos.

- We have very good relationships with European zoos, and since I am the president of the Ukrainian Zoo Association, they reached out to me and said – "we will help the zoos in Ukraine." We divided the funds and sent them to the zoos' accounts, - Volodymyr Topchiy explained.

He emphasized that evacuating the zoo was impossible due to the large number of animals. Therefore, they were compelled to leave the animals in the zoo, despite the danger, and care for them.

Volodymyr Topchiy mentioned that the zoo is currently short-staffed. Twelve zoo employees are on the front lines, and two staff members have died defending Ukraine. He stressed that 2024 is the toughest year yet, as the zoo lacks the resources to repair or build anything; funds are only available for the care of the animal collection.

- There has not been a more difficult year than this one. This year, we did nothing at the zoo. We repaired nothing and built nothing. We are just maintaining the collection and raising young animals. This year, we had three pink pelicans hatch – that is an event, an achievement. Not everyone can do that, - said the director.