21-07-2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shirokuma
I mean how was it established - it's always interesting when new zoos are started.
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Izhevsk is a small city (I mean size) with population more than 650 000. It is generally known for different technics from AK assault rifles till space electronics. But we had small amount of places for family rest and entertainment: two city parks and a circus. The decision was made to build modern zoo. It's conception and project were created by many specialists form other zoos (mainly from Moscow zoo) including foreign specialists like Dr. Bohumil Král (Praha/Prague zoo). The land from the territory of old park near the bank of a city pond was allocated, it's entire size is almost 18 hectares. Construction was begun in 2006. Zoo was opened in September 2008. Territory of 7 hectares is still under construction. By the way Udmurtia zoo is one of a small amount of new state russian zoos (not federal).
When project of our zoo was created it was planned number of species to be kept here. Zoo takes part in international conservation and breeding programs for several species: amur tiger, cranes, and Steller's sea-eagle. I think some of species were planned to be kept here because of lack of place in older zoos and on the contrary because of presence of place in our zoo, it's easier to start than to change the developed structure. (EARAZA report said that our zoo specializes on breeding of carnivorous mammals but I don't know if it is a real planned specialization or just fact ascertaining that animals like wolves and tigers usually have no serious problems with reproduction. We have two pairs of polar bears, we hoped older pair will breed, but there is no result yet though they had a normal sexual behavior. It upsets us very much.)
Some animals were gifted or something like that, for example from circus; these animals are usually rather old and haven't mate. Some species are traditionally kept in zoos like brown bear and wolf, and it is easy to find and get these animals. Some animals like nothern fur seals were wild-captured and brought to our zoo. But most of animals were transferred from other zoos and other institutes.
Last edited by callorhinus; 22-07-2012 at 09:31 PM..
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