Almost a thousand creatures from about 90 species are currently housed at the Chisinau Zoo, from the bearded vulture and snow leopard to yellow-throated martens and exotic birds. These and other animals, many of which are rare and endangered, are part of the ZOO’s collection. Beyond its zoological importance, the enterprise plays an educational role and represents a real tourist attraction for both the guests of the capital city and the people of Chisinau. The administrator of the Chisinau Zoo Roman Crețu spoke to IPN about conservation programs, educational activities and preparations for the winter season.
Animal collection
Currently, the Zoo is working on improving the animal collection in terms of quality, with a focus on the value and diversity of species, especially those that are endangered. Roman Crețu said that all the efforts are focused on scientific activity and involvement in conservation programs. A fundamental principle of the Zoo is to have one pair, maximum two pairs so that, if necessary, they can contribute to reproduction and repopulation, within the framework of international programs.
The Chisinau Zoo is an active member of the vulture conservation program and has a specimen of bearded vulture on display, being part of an extended community that studies these birds both in captivity and in the wild. The enterprise’s employees furnish information through questionnaires every two years, providing answers to the questions of scientists studying this species. Likewise, the Zoo is a member of the snow leopard conservation program. In 2014, a male of this rare species was brought to the Zoo, becoming a valuable specimen for both exhibition and breeding. Roman Crețu said that the Zoo is continuously looking for a female for reproduction, specifying that the felines reproduce well at the Chisinau Zoo, due to the favorable conditions offered.
Through joint efforts, including with the support of the Chisinau City Hall, during the pandemic, a large batch of animals was brought, including five yellow-throated martens, a rare animal difficult to find in zoos. Among the rare species is the Amur leopard (one male and one female). Since the Amur leopard is a solitary species and leads a nocturnal lifestyle, these animals are not always visible to visitors. In contrast, lions can often be admired in the cage, living in a close-knit group. The Zoo’s administration aims to expand the area where the lions are kept, thus creating better conditions and psychological comfort for both them and visitors.
Roman Cretu said that a freer exchange between zoos took place among the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, but, due to the conflict in the neighboring country, many air routes were canceled or significantly expensive. The last animals were purchased from ccounterparts from Ukraine, who are close to the border and who are not in the areas directly affected by the war. Sometimes, animals can be brought to the Zoo by citizens, although this practice is not encouraged. If a person purchased an exotic animal and cannot provide it with adequate conditions, then they can donate it to the Zoo. In this case, a donation contract is concluded and the donor renounces all rights over this animal. The Zoo will later decide whether to keep the animal in the collection or find a new home for it.
Preparations for winter
Roman Cretu explained that, for winter, the general rule is to evaluate the interior spaces from the point of view of the functioning of the heating and ventilation systems. In some species, waterers are mounted indoors to prevent the water from freezing, and in others, a wooden floor is installed on top of the concrete one. Immediately after entering November, animals that require special conditions are transferred to winter spaces, where they remain until spring, becoming inaccessible for visiting.
The measures are taken depending on the needs of each animal. Some of the parrots and some species of exotic birds need special conditions and are kept in closed rooms. Other species of parrots, however, adapt well to winters in Moldova and can stay outside. On the other hand, for capybaras, palm civets, monkeys and other tropical animals, the winters in Moldova are a challenge and so they must be housed indoors. The old bear, which has been living at the Zoo for a long time, became accustomed to staying close to visitors and cannot hibernate like its wild peers. With the arrival of the new bears, it will be a new experience. They hibernated at the Zoo from which they were brought. They will try to hibernate in Chisinau as well as they have conditions closer to those in the forest.
Starting with the cold season, food rations are changed. To maintain a constant body temperature, more calories are consumed, respectively, the food ration in winter is more caloric. In addition, vitamin-mineral additives are used. The amount of food is adjusted according to the needs of each species. The food is purchased exclusively in Moldova. The administrator stressed that the Chisinau Zoo complies with European food standards, and sometimes the rations offered are even richer than those in zoos in Europe. Exotic birds eat porridge, salads, pieces of shredded meat, while in zoos in Europe they receive granules. Lions and bears eat meat, fish, absolutely everything found in the country.
Development of infrastructure for animals and visitors
Roman Cretu noted that this year the activity focused on improving infrastructure and access ways, including for people with disabilities. It is planned to build an own wastewater treatment plant and new cagess, which will include winter and summer spaces. The expansion of cages and the improvement of animal keeping conditions are going at a rapid pace. The ZOO’s administration aims to set up a summer space for lemurs catta, to build a new cage for lions, to renovate exhibition spaces for exotic birds.
The administrator said that the great desire is to gradually give up the fences in order to eliminate the visual discomfort of visitors, who see the animal in the cage, and to bring the animals closer to people. According to him, this measure will be implemented with particular care because the visitors sometimes try to violate the rules of behavior as they feed their animal with forbidden food, insert fingers into the cage or make noise. Particular systems are to be created by which visitors could feed certain species with products offered by the Zoo.
Education and volunteering at ZOO
Younger visitors were able to explore the activity of the Zoo and the valuable collection of animals not only through guided trips, but also in the Young Biologists' Club. Every Saturday, the employees organized lessons in a specially arranged classroom, where the children learned about a certain species. After the theoretical part, the group went to the cage of the animal studied, and the children had the opportunity to see it up close and create models about that species. "Now, through our guides, the staff involved in the educational part, we seek to develop a new strategy and make this service more accessible. We want all schools and kindergartens to know about our educational activities. Now, the club is closed for the cold period of the year, but the activity will be resumed in the spring, in a new format, although we do not exclude the old one," said RomanCrețu.
Currently, the Zoo cooperates with the Technical University of Moldova and the College of Ecology to organize internships and joint teaching activities. "We received visits from veterinary students to whom we showed how to look after animals and the challenges faced by a zoo. We cooperate with educational institutions. As for volunteering, we offer this possibility to those interested, but everything is individual," said the Zoo’s administrator. Roman Crețu added that he wants, in the future, regulations and official registration as an entity on whose territory volunteering can be carried out.
Roman Crețu mentioned the important role of the Zoo from the perspective of tourism. Being located close to the airport, in an area favorable to urban tourism, it is a major tourist attraction, which deserves investments and expansion to improve the quality of the experience offered, said the administrator.
Visitor access to the Zoo is allowed daily, except on Mondays, between 8:00 a.m. and 05:00 p.m.
Milena Macarciuc, IPN
