Humane zoo, or the life of wild animals in Halych National Park

"The rehabilitation center, which we created, provided for both educational and scientific work. At the same time, we also wanted to promote a good attitude towards birds and animals. We started with small things. For ten years of work we managed to create wonderful aviaries for birds, carnivorous animals and artiodactyls, where they are cured and kept," director of the the Halych National Nature Park Oleh Haiduk said.

Now, more than hundred species of animals and birds live on the territory of the center, which occupies about three hectares of forestland. There are no problems with food for animals here. The environmental organizations, trade institutions, meat processing plants and poultry factories and not indifferent people help us. The rehabilitation center for wild animals in Halych is also called a shelter for animals but not a zoo.

"When a person visits a zoo, he feels pity for animals kept in closed cages. The question arises why they are not at large if they are healthy. In fact, the zoo was created for the benefit of man. We set a more humane task and wanted to radically change this philosophy. After all, we release a lot of animals into the wild. It's almost all birds and animals that came to us mutilated," director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, scientist Volodymyr Buchko noted.

The concept of development of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is that people can observe the animals at a distance - through binoculars or with the help of video cameras.

It is not worth worrying sick animals. They need to get their own space, and the animal lovers get the opportunity to see them in a natural environment.

Iryna Druzhuk, Ivano-Frankivsk

Photos by the author