Kharkiv Zoo, State zoological park in Kharkiv, Ukraine
The Kharkiv Zoo sits within Shevchenko Garden and houses animals from many continents in spacious enclosures. The grounds feature mammals, birds, fish, and amphibians in different sections that mirror how these creatures live in their natural habitats.
The zoo was founded in 1895 and opened to visitors in 1903, making it the first zoo in Ukraine. Its long existence places it among the world's oldest zoological parks.
The zoo serves as a learning space for schools and families interested in wildlife from different parts of the world. Many people come to experience animals they might never see elsewhere.
The grounds are flat and walkable with marked pathways between different animal sections. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as walking through the entire zoo takes several hours.
Since 2021, there is a contact area where visitors can touch and feed donkeys, hedgehogs, rabbits, and turtles directly. This space lets people form a closer connection with these gentler animals.
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