Kyiv Zoo

A mid-2000s snapshot. Founded in 1908, Kyiv Zoo then occupied almost 40 ha and housed over 3,000 animals of about 350 species. Hoofed animals were particularly prominent; you could also find a decent variety of lions, tigers and bears (oh my!), along with many other species of mammals, birds and a rather interesting terrarium. Alas, the descriptive information was only in Ukrainian, so you had to make up your own facts. For those with little ones, the Zoo also had a small amusement park - from the top of the Ferris wheel you could enjoy a great bird's-eye view of your favorite animals. However, sworn animal-protection activists were likely dismayed by some of the cramped cages with concrete floors that were in sore need of improvement.

On the other hand, much renovation work was under way then, and although it might have been inconvenient for visitors in the short run, we hoped that the animals' living conditions would be considerably upgraded in the near future.

Ticket office then open 09:00 - 18:30, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 19:00; pavilions 09:00 - 18:00; Zoo 09:00 - 20:00.
Admission: 12 UAH for adults, 5 UAH for children (mid-2000s figures).