Smolensk Zoo: description, history, interesting facts, contacts and reviews

Smolensk Zoo began its existence in 1991 in the territory of the center for environmental development. This place is unique in its kind, because it is here that many exotic animals could find a home and quietly exist without threat to their own lives. The staff of the center constantly conducts scientific research and many other works that are aimed at a good cause, the study of animal features is taking place. Thanks to these studies, specialists can create all the necessary conditions for a comfortable stay of animals in the zoo. Equally important is the physiological adaptation of the living being, over which the scientific staff work tirelessly.

general information

The zoo is divided into four zones, where you can contemplate a variety of animals. Here, guests can watch the life of crocodiles, turtles, all kinds of reptiles and lizards. Guides with pleasure conduct sightseeing tours that are interesting for both children and adults. Employees work with schoolchildren. Thanks to the huge interest, whole groups of children are being formed who are happy to study in depth the biology course with live examples.

Smolensk Zoo with pleasure shows its guests exotic wards. During the tour, guests can watch how they eat alligators, and even listen to a concert of a moss frog. No less interesting is the very history of the formation of the zoo.

A bit of history

The idea of creating such a large-scale project appeared in 1988. Then on the basis of a teenage club "Smolagropromproekt" the center of ecological education of youth of the city of Smolensk was formed. With this small team, the history of the zoo itself began. Collection of exotic animals for the future of the zoo began to collect since 1909. The very first animal was the Javanese macaque Grisha. And only then came the Cuban white-haired Amazon and the broad-faced caiman. So all the huge collection of the current zoo was going to.

Stages of development

Today Smolensk Zoo (address: Pamfilova St., 3B) is a unique place not only in the city, but also in the region. It is here that the residents of the regional center can enjoy exotic nature at any time. The zoo works even in winter, so visitors can constantly enjoy the beauty of the fish and play with the macaques.

In 2001, on the territory of the Smolensk Zoo was opened another society called "Smolensk Poozerie." Its formation has become a symbol of the unification of two conservation organizations. Now the scope of natural education has become wider, the guests of the zoo can not only enjoy excursions, but also receive a huge amount of information, new knowledge and even skills. And for this you do not need to go outside the city. Not only children, but also adults will be interested to visit the Smolensk Zoo. The cost of the visit is symbolic - only 120 rubles.

Zoo today

The number of visitors to the zoo is increasing every year. Interest is noticeable, and the trend is positive, especially among school-age children. For all its long existence, the Smolensk Zoo has earned a huge reputation among environmental companies, educational institutions of different levels of accreditation.

The most grateful public are ordinary residents of the city of Smolensk, who attend the exhibition halls with great interest. Visiting this institution always brings a huge amount of positive emotions, new cognitive facts and just a good mood. The zoo allows for some time to become a part of the exotic nature, closer acquainted with its world and device. It is this opportunity that attracts people to visit the Smolensk Zoo.

How to get there?

The zoo is located in the heart of the city. It is located near the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It can be reached by almost any public transport.

In its arrangement the zoo has 4 exhibition halls. They are a large collection of animals, namely 70 species of exotic living things. Here there are animals from all continents of our vast world. And it's really amazing. You can see exotic birds, funny monkeys, serious owls, squirrels, reptiles, fish and many other fauna.

Near each enclosure, terrarium or aquarium, you can see a tablet on which the entire history of the animal, its name, place of natural habitat, habits and much more is set out. To study this information is very exciting. For visitors special excursions are organized, where you can ask questions and just learn a lot of useful information. For schoolchildren in the walls of the zoo, magnificent theatrical performances are organized, which children enjoy with great pleasure.

The center named "Smolensk Zoo" focused its activity on the maintenance and breeding of rare specimens of exotic animals. In addition, he took upon himself the duty of treating wild wounded animals, which is a laborious task.

Schedule and price of the ticket

A very convenient mode of visiting is the Smolensk Zoo. The schedule of work - from 10:00 to 18:00 daily without breaks and days off. The ticket price for an adult is 120 rubles. For children, pensioners and students - 50 rubles. For preschoolers, veterans and other social categories, the entrance is free of charge. All the money earned from selling tickets goes to the maintenance of animals. Not only guests of the city, but also local residents are happy to visit the Smolensk Zoo. Reviews say that this is a worthy place in Smolensk, where you need to go.

What do visitors say about the work of the zoo?

Some may think that in zoos animals only torture and use them for their own mercenary purposes. But this certainly does not apply to the Smolensk Zoo. Employees do not just create the appearance of work, they really work hard to make animals feel comfortable. They show great concern for everyone. Many are rescued from the clutches of death.

The zoo is very clean, even the guests are taught to hygiene. You need to wash your hands and follow the rules. In these walls, animals feel comfortable. They are not afraid of people and are very friendly, especially in the contact zoo, where animals can be touched and photographed with them. Especially informative is going to the zoo for schoolchildren. It tells fascinating facts about the life of animals, and other information is no less interesting.

Activities of the zoo

First of all, the zoo does not stop its work in the direction of raising the level of education in the ecological environment. Visiting the institution, each guest receives not only good emotions, but also a certain amount of new knowledge from specialists. It is not uncommon to visit the zoo by groups of students who come with their teachers. For such groups are provided not only excursions, but also interesting video lessons.

Methodologists work on the basis of the zoo, which develop and improve the excursion program. They have developed a whole series of excursions for different ages: from preschoolers to pensioners. Such an approach will help to assimilate information and make certain knowledge for yourself. In addition, social and pedagogical staff work here, who conduct additional classes with different age groups of people. Schoolchildren actively join such units. A whole world of new knowledge and adventures opens here for children.

Probably everyone knows the problem of the disappearance of a population of rare animals. For some representatives of endangered species, the zoo has become a salvage and an opportunity to preserve species. There are 12 species of animals on the territory, the population of which is on the verge of extinction. The staff constantly conduct scientific work to ensure that these species can breed in captivity. So, humanity can continue to admire these representatives of the animal world.

On the basis of the zoo there is a center for the rehabilitation and treatment of wounded wild animals. This is one of the most important areas. Every year, the zoo receives a large number of wounded animals. Employees are trying to return each representative to the natural habitat. If the wounds were severe and the animal does not survive in the wild, it becomes a new resident of the zoo. Unfortunately, the zoo does not always accept all animals, but they do not leave them in trouble. Friendship with other zoos in the country makes it possible to transport the animal and save its life.

The scientific activity of the staff is another interesting direction of the life of the zoo.

Contact Zoo

In 2016, a contact zoo was opened in the Smolensk Zoo. Created a living area, which animals can be petted, they are happy to go to contact with people. In this corner there is a raccoon, turtles and other interesting animals. This kind of zoo allows people even closer to contact our smaller brothers. This is another reason to visit the Smolensk Zoo. The ticket price for adults is 250 rubles, for children - 200 rubles.