The Limpopo Zoo — the first private zoo in Russia, in operation since 2003. It is located in Sormovo, on the southwestern edge of Sormovskiy Park. It was founded by Vladimir Gerasichkin and became the city's second zoo — after the Mishutka Zoo in Shveytsariya Park, which opened eight years earlier. The zoo's founder, honorary citizen of Nizhny Novgorod Vladimir Gerasichkin, was inspired to create it by an owl he had rescued from an attack by crows — an enclosure was built for the bird, which gradually grew into a full-fledged zoo; later, a circus from Kostroma gave Gerasichkin a wolf named Norman, and loggers handed over six young squirrels.[2][1]
Collection and Grounds
As of the most recent description, the zoo's collection includes 230 species of animals — more than 1,300 individuals in total. Among the zoo's residents are an Amur tiger, a Far Eastern leopard, a polar bear, two giraffes, a Malayan tapir, a cassowary, muskoxen, and Arctic wolves; in 2023 the collection was expanded with rare mountain goats and muskoxen.[2] The zoo covers an area of 7.1 hectares. Its animals are housed across two sites. The zoo includes the Amazonia complex, which features a tropical botanical garden and the Night World exhibition; the grounds also host three museums — "Back to the USSR," "Weapons of Victory," and the samovar museum "The Culture of Tea Drinking" — as well as the children's animal club Sovenok.[3][1]
Life at the Zoo
City-wide and district celebrations are held on the zoo's grounds. Annual events include the "Plant Your Own Tree" initiative, World Animal Day, and birthday celebrations for the larger animals. Nizhny Novgorod residents frequently name newborn animals through themed competitions. In 2007 the zoo joined the Eurasian Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and in 2011 it received the Pine Branch award for its environmental initiatives.[2] In 2007, a bag containing a two-month-old female bear cub was found near the zoo's ticket booths; staff named her Lyalya, and she became the symbol of Limpopo; the zoo's official mascot is the owl — the founder's first animal. [2][1] The zoo is noted as a place where animals receive excellent care, and it distinguishes Sormovo District from the city's other industrial districts. On TripAdvisor, Limpopo ranks in the top 3 zoos in Russia and holds 25th place among European zoos.[2]
Links
- Official website (archive) (nnzoo.ru)
Sources
- mag.russpass.ru — The zoo was founded by honorary citizen of Nizhny Novgorod Vladimir Gerasichkin: the impetus for creating it was an owl he rescued from an attack by crows, (archive)
- nnzoo.ru — The zoo includes the Amazonia complex, featuring a tropical botanical garden and the Night World exhibition; the grounds also host three museums (archive)
- Wikipedia (ru) — Limpopo (zoo) (archive)