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 were able to find a house and live quietly 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 animal features are studied. Thanks to these studies, specialists can create all the necessary conditions for a comfortable stay of animals in the zoo. No less important is the physiological adaptation of a living creature, on which scientists are working tirelessly.
general information
The zoo is divided into four zones where you can see a variety of animals. Here guests can watch the life of crocodiles, turtles, all kinds of reptiles and lizards. Guides are happy to conduct sightseeing tours that are interesting to both children and adults. Employees work with students. Thanks to great interest, whole groups of children are created who are happy to study in depth the biology course with live examples.
Smolensk Zoo is happy to show guests its exotic wards. During the tour, guests can watch how alligators eat, and even listen to a moss frog concert. No less interesting is the 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 the teenage club Smolagropromproekt, a center for environmental education of the youth of Smolensk was formed. With this small team, the history of the zoo itself began. A collection of exotic animals for the future zoo began to be collected since 1909. The very first animal was the Javanese macaque Grisha. And only then came the Cuban white-headed Amazon and the wide-faced caiman. So gathered the whole huge collection of the current zoo.
Stages of development
Today Smolensky Zoo (address: Pamfilova St., 3B) is a unique place not only in the city, but also in the region. It is here that residents of the regional center can enjoy exotic nature at any time. The zoo is open even in winter, so visitors can constantly enjoy the beauty of fish and have fun with macaques.
In 2001, another company was opened on the territory of the Smolensk Zoo under the name Smolensk Lakeland. Its formation has become a kind of symbol of the union of two environmental organizations. Now the area of influence of natural education has become wider, 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 in visiting the Smolensk Zoo. The cost of visiting 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. Throughout its long existence, the Smolensk Zoo has earned enormous prestige among environmental societies, educational institutions at various levels of accreditation.
The most grateful audience are ordinary residents of the city of Smolensk, who visit the exhibition halls with great interest. A visit to 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 certain part of the exotic nature, get to know more closely its world and structure. It is such an opportunity that attracts people to visit the Smolensk Zoo.
How to get there
The zoo is located in the very center 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.
The zoo has 4 exhibition halls in its location. They housed a considerable collection of animals, namely 70 species of exotic living creatures. There are animals from all over the world in our vast world. And this is really amazing. You can see exotic birds, funny monkeys, serious owls, squirrels, reptiles, fish and many other representatives of the fauna.
Near each enclosure, terrarium or aquarium, you can observe a plate on which the entire history of the animal is stated, its name, place of natural habitat, habits and much more. To study this information is very exciting. Special excursions are organized for visitors, where you can ask questions of interest and just find out a lot of useful information. For schoolchildren, magnificent theater performances are organized within the walls of the zoo, which children visit with great pleasure.
A center called Smolensky Zoo focused on keeping and breeding rare specimens of exotic animals. In addition, he took on the responsibility of treating wild wounded animals, which is a rather laborious task.
Schedule and ticket price
The Smolensk Zoo offers a very convenient visiting regime. Schedule - 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, admission is free. All the proceeds from the sale of tickets go to the maintenance of animals. Not only guests of the city, but also locals with pleasure visit Smolensk Zoo. Reviews say that this is a worthy place in Smolensk, where you must go.
What do visitors say about the zoo?
Some may think that in zoos animals are only tortured and used for their own selfish 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 here. Many are saved from the clutches of death.
The zoo is very clean, even guests are accustomed 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. Particularly informative will be a trip to the zoo for schoolchildren. Here fascinating facts from the life of animals are told, 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 increasing the level of education in the ecological environment. Having visited 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 with 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, who develop and improve the excursion program. They developed a number of excursions for different ages: from a preschooler to a senior citizen. This approach will help to absorb information and bring out certain knowledge. In addition, social and pedagogical staff work here, who conduct additional classes with different age groups of people. Actively students join such units. A whole world of new knowledge and adventures opens up for children here.
Probably everyone knows the problem of the extinction of the population of rare animals. For some representatives of endangered species, the zoo has become a salvation and an opportunity to preserve the species. 12 animal species live on the territory, the population of which is on the verge of extinction. Employees constantly carry out scientific work so that these species can breed in captivity. So, humanity will be able to continue to admire these representatives of the animal world.
A rehabilitation and treatment center for injured wildlife works at the zoo. This is one of the most important areas. A large number of injured animals enter the zoo annually. Employees are trying to return each representative to their natural habitat. If the injuries were serious and in the wild the animal will not survive, then it becomes a new resident of the zoo. Unfortunately, the zoo can not always accept all animals, but they are not left in trouble. Friendship with other zoos in the country allows you to transport the animal and save his life.
The scientific activity of employees is another interesting area of the zoo's life.
