The Zoological Garden of Chisinau had been closed throughout spring owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the same reason, a number of bear cubs could not be brought to Moldova from Kamchatka. However, after the Zoo was reopened on June 1, the number of visitors has been on the rise.

Contacted by IPN for details, vice director of the Zoological Garden Sergiu Pânzaru said that since March, even if the Zoo was closed to visitors, their employees practically haven’t had days off. In the period, besides ensuring daily care for the animals, they set up new areas, cages, gazebos and cascades. The Peasant Yard with domestic animals was extended.

Together with the reopening of the Zoo, the number of visitors has increased, especially on the weekends. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Zoological Garden is visited by over 1,000 people and the second ticket office is opened so as to avoid crowdedness.

Sergiu Pânzaru explained that the rise in the number of visitors is due to the fact the people are tired of staying in the house owing to the imposed restrictions. Moreover, there were suspended other activities. The rise enables them to recover the costs incurred in spring, when the Zoo was closed.

The Zoological Garden is not open on Mondays as they do cleanup and other works on this day.

Sergiu Pânzaru also said that the visitors can enjoy the company of such animals as polar wolves, young zebras and lamas. The Zoo also planned a new acquisition, but no details will be yet provided.

The Zoological Garden can be visited from Tuesday through Sunday between 8am and 8pm. Ticket prices remained the same: 30 lei for grownups; 5 lei for students and pensioners. Entrance for children younger than seven is free of charge.