Directors from six member zoos of AZU participated in the international conference ZOOFanatika held at the Lubin Zoo in Poland from April 11 to 13, 2025.
The Ukrainian zoo community was represented by:
- Volodymyr Topchiy (AZU President, Director of Mykolaiv Zoo)
- Yevheniy Van (Cherkasy Zoo Roshen)
- Oleh Pavliuk (Rivne Zoo)
- Ludmila Denisenko (Lutsk Zoo)
- Serhiy Kostiv (Limpopo Zoo)
- Igor Bilyakov (Odesa Zoo)
This year's ZOOFanatika was particularly significant as it focused on supporting Ukrainian zoos.
“Ukrainian zoos are facing extremely challenging circumstances. The initial wave of European solidarity has noticeably waned. Moreover, the financial condition of Ukrainian zoos is even worse than at the beginning of the war. The situation is complicated not only by a lack of funds but also by many other negative factors,” the organizers of ZOOFanatika stated.
On the first day of the meeting, Volodymyr Topchiy delivered a presentation titled “Ukrainian Zoos in Wartime.” The Lutsk, Mykolaiv, and Cherkasy Roshen Zoos showcased video films telling how their teams are coping with wartime challenges.
One of the traditional events at ZOOFanatika is an auction featuring artifacts related to zoo operations (publishing products, souvenirs, etc.). This year, all proceeds from the auction were donated to support Ukrainian zoos. One of the auction items was a fragment of a missile warhead that struck the territory of Mykolaiv Zoo.
During the meeting at Lubin Zoo, Volodymyr Topchiy also presented a commemorative award marking the “120th Anniversary of Mykolaiv Zoo” to Warsaw Zoo Director Andrzej Kruszewicz. Mr. Kruszewicz was one of the founders of the PANDA foundation, which has supported our zoos since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Meetings with Czech Colleagues
After the meeting, representatives from Ukrainian zoos met with their Czech counterparts.
Specifically, at Prague Zoo, Volodymyr Topchiy presented the “Order of Leontovych” commemorative sign to Zoo Director Miroslav Bobek. Our colleagues had the opportunity to view the new gorilla exhibit and learn about the construction of the large Arctic Exhibit (budget — €50 million).
To conclude their trip to ZOOFanatika, the AZU zoo directors visited and engaged with their colleagues at Safari Park “Dvur-Kralove.” At the famous zoo, the directors learned about the okapi exhibit. Zoo Director, Mr. Přemysl Rabas, shared insights on the preservation and reintroduction of white rhinos.
At the conclusion of the meeting, AZU President Volodymyr Topchiy presented a commemorative award for the “120th Anniversary of Mykolaiv Zoo” to his colleague.
