Cages for small predators, such as wildcats, jungle cats and raccoon dogs, are being renewed at the Chisinau Zoo. The cages will become more spacious, with panoramic exposure and closer to the animals’ natural habitats, Olga Iuzvac, department head at the Zoo, told IPN.

The old spaces were practically as old as the Zoo itself. They weren’t built to the modern standards, and the staff had trouble taking proper care of their occupants.

The renovation is in line with the Zoo’s development strategy. A row of facilities that include several small sections will allow the animals to be exhibited even during the cold season. “When it was cold, we covered these facilities with film and, thanks to hot air convectors, they warmed up. Now they will have glass walls, leaving the animals visible even in the cold period of the year. There will be more space, too. I think there will also be a heated floor and more decoration”, said Olga Iuzvac.

The renovation is funded with municipal money, with the development strategy approved by the Chisinau Municipal Council. Olga Iuzvac says a contractor will be selected based on tender procedures.

The Chisinau Zoo has a number of species that are sensitive to low temperatures. Efforts are underway to prepare the Zoo for the cold season, including by stocking up on feed as well as litter for bedding.

Over the past three years, the municipal budget allocated more than 20 million lei to modernize the Zoo, with 10 million disbursed this year alone.

The Chisinau Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals from 138 species, including 10 endangered ones.