zoo
A zoo (short for zoological garden; also called an animal park or menagerie) is a facility where animals are kept within enclosures for public exhibition and often bred for conservation purposes.
The term ''zoological garden'' refers to zoology, ...
of
Almaty
Almaty, formerly Alma-Ata, is the List of most populous cities in Kazakhstan, largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population exceeding two million residents within its metropolitan area. Located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains ...
, the most populous city in
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan, officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a landlocked country primarily in Central Asia, with a European Kazakhstan, small portion in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia to the Kazakhstan–Russia border, north and west, China to th ...
. The Almaty Zoo is one of the largest and oldest zoological parks in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Almaty zoo is a member of the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EARAZA).
On December 8, 2020, a famous resident of the zoo, the polar bear Alkor, died. He had turned 31 years old just a day earlier. Over the previous 2 months, the health condition of the predator had been constantly deteriorating. Alkor was one of the old residents of the Almaty Zoo, he was brought here from Kaliningrad in 1990. Alcor has become the unofficial symbol of the zoo.
History
In January 1935, the Council of People's Commissars of the Kazakh SSR made a decision on the immediate creation of a zoo in Alma-Ata. Murzakhan Tolebayev, an experienced hunter and expert in Semirechye, was engaged in choosing the place for building the first zoo in the republic.
Tolebaev chose the eastern outskirts of Gorky Park for the construction of the zoo. Tolebayev's opinion was supported by other members of the land commission and the management of the Government House. On February 19, by decision of the Almaty City Council, a land plot of 46 hectares, on the right bank of the Kazachka River, in an orchard, was allocated for construction. The allotted territory by its relief gave a full opportunity to make it for its intended purpose without great expense.
In 1936 Tolebayev was appointed as the head of the zoo, he supervised the construction of the zoo, and was engaged in selection of animals and organization of scientific base. To fill the zoo, Tolebayev personally caught some species of animals in the Kazakh steppes, including saigas,
ibex
An ibex ( : ibex, ibexes or ibices) is any of several species of wild goat (genus ''Capra''), distinguished by the male's large recurved horns, which are transversely ridged in front. Ibex are found in Eurasia, North Africa and East Africa.
T ...
, and
gazelles
A gazelle is one of many antelope species in the genus ''Gazella'' . There are also seven species included in two further genera; '' Eudorcas'' and '' Nanger'', which were formerly considered subgenera of ''Gazella''. A third former subgenus, ' ...
. But these animals were very few.
In February 1937 Murzakhan Tolebayev published an article in the newspaper "Socialist Asia" about the opening of the zoo on June 1. But the opening was postponed to a later date. He later secured funds to purchase animals from the Moscow and Leningrad zoos and the Askania Nova Nature Reserve.
In September Tolebayev visited Moscow, where he negotiated with the Moscow zoo for the purchase of animals. Already in October 1937
bears
Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae (). They are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans. Although only eight species of bears are extant, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout most o ...
,
lion
The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large Felidae, cat of the genus ''Panthera'', native to Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body (biology), body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the ...
, rare hoofed animals and many other new zoo inhabitants arrived in Alma-Ata in special carriages. At the same time Murzakhan Tolebayev had time to negotiate with the People's Commissariat, personally ordered building materials, chose fodder and coordinated with architects. Just before the opening of the zoo a tiger, a crocodile and some exotic snakes arrived. In October the commission, headed by the Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Levon Mirzoyan
Levon Isayevich Mirzoyan (; ) (14 November 1897 – 26 February 1939) was the List of heads of state of Azerbaijan, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Azerbaijan Communist Party (1920), Communist Party of the Azerbaijan from 21 Janu ...
, visited the building and was satisfied with the work done.
On November 7, 1937, the inauguration of the zoo took place. For the first two days the entrance to the zoo was free of charge. The opening of the zoo was attended by a delegation of members of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee. Murzakhan Tolebayev was awarded with a diploma by the NKVD for the safe delivery of the animals from Moscow to Alma-Ata. Tolebayev combined his work in the zoo with the work in the Committee on Science. His plans in November 1937 included organization of apiary, insectarium and construction of aviary for elephants.
Many of Tolebayev's plans did not come to fruition. Two months after opening of the zoo, on December 5, 1937, Murzakhan Tolebayev was arrested by employees of NKVD. The unique documents on the first scientific works of the zoo, diaries of observations and plans of further building of the zoo were confiscated. In 1938 Murzakhan Tolebayev was shot on false charges.
Zoo collection
As of 2005, there were 523 species, 3657 specimens in the zoo collection. Of these, mammals - 94 species, 317 specimens; birds - 224 species, 1056 specimens; reptiles - 80 species, 431 specimens; amphibians - 6 species, 39 specimens; fish - 114 species, 1736 specimens; invertebrates - 5 species, 78 specimens.
As of 2006, the zoo's collection included more than 400 species, about 5,000 specimens. Of these, 28 species are included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan and 71 species in the Red Book of IUCN, CIS.
The zoo exhibit at the beginning of 2014 is 4,768 specimens and 330 species of animals. These include: 75 mammal species, 67 fish species, 1 amphibian species, 57 reptile species, 127 bird species, and 3 invertebrate species.
As of 2015, there were 345 species, 5,428 specimens of which: 74 mammal species, 323 specimens; 124 bird species, 844 specimens; 56 reptile species, 195 specimens; 3 amphibian species, 37 specimens; 83 fish species, 4,029 specimens; invertebrates, 5 species.
Dwellers
The inhabitants of the Almaty Zoo are housed in seven sections: predatory mammals, ungulates, primates, birds of prey, exotic birds, exotarium, and aquarium.
The "Sea Aquarium" pavilion is very popular with visitors to the Almaty Zoo. It exhibits numerous representatives of aquatic fauna of our planet - fish, crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians. In addition to popular species known to aquarium lovers, there are also rare ones. Chukugan harlequinot, Central Asian snakehead, Thai snakehead, anthernote, Japanese fish are amazing.
In the zoo terrarium there are 11 species of turtles:
Caspian turtle
The Caspian turtle (''Mauremys caspica''), also known as the striped-neck terrapin, is a species of turtle in the family (biology), family Geoemydidae (=Bataguridae). It is found in west Asia, in Iran and central Turkey, northward to the Republic ...
snakes
Snakes are elongated Limbless vertebrate, limbless reptiles of the suborder Serpentes (). Cladistically Squamata, squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping Scale (zoology), scales much like other members of ...
suborder, among which
tiger
The tiger (''Panthera tigris'') is a large Felidae, cat and a member of the genus ''Panthera'' native to Asia. It has a powerful, muscular body with a large head and paws, a long tail and orange fur with black, mostly vertical stripes. It is ...
and
reticulated pythons
The reticulated python (''Malayopython reticulatus'') is a python species native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the world's longest snake, and the third heaviest snake. It is a non-venomous constrictor and an excellent swimmer that has bee ...
chameleons
Chameleons or chamaeleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of Old World lizards with 200 species described as of June 2015. The members of this family are best known for their distinct range of colours, be ...
,
rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes that form the genera '' Crotalus'' and ''Sistrurus'' of the subfamily Crotalinae (the pit vipers). All rattlesnakes are vipers. Rattlesnakes are predators that live in a wide array of habitats, hunting small an ...
and
Egyptian cobra
The Egyptian cobra (''Naja haje'') is one of the most venomous species of snakes in North Africa. It averages roughly in length; the longest specimen recorded so far measured .
Etymology and taxonomy
''Naja haje'' was first described by Swed ...
are of particular interest for visitors.
There is a diverse display of waterfowl. Lakes and ponds are home to various species of
swans
Swans are birds of the genus ''Cygnus'' within the family Anatidae. The swans' closest relatives include the geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe Cygnini. Sometim ...
,
ducks
Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family (biology), family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and goose, geese, which are members of the same family. Divided among several subfam ...
,
geese
A goose (: geese) is a bird of any of several waterfowl species in the family Anatidae. This group comprises the genera '' Anser'' (grey geese and white geese) and ''Branta'' (black geese). Some members of the Tadorninae subfamily (e.g., Egyp ...
and cranes.
The largest of all non-flying birds living on Earth -
emus
Emus may refer to:
* Emu
The emu (; ''Dromaius novaehollandiae'') is a species of flightless bird endemism, endemic to Australia, where it is the Tallest extant birds, tallest native bird. It is the only extant taxon, extant member of the ...
and nandus live in spacious aviaries.
The collection of mammals is also diverse.
Elephants
Elephants are the Largest and heaviest animals, largest living land animals. Three living species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant (''Loxodonta africana''), the African forest elephant (''L. cyclotis''), and the Asian ele ...
,
giraffes
The giraffe is a large African hoofed mammal belonging to the genus ''Giraffa.'' It is the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant on Earth. It is classified under the family Giraffidae, along with its closest extant re ...
,
zebras
Zebras (, ) (subgenus ''Hippotigris'') are African equines with distinctive black-and-white striped Animal coat, coats. There are three Extant taxon, living species: Grévy's zebra (''Equus grevyi''), the plains zebra (''E. quagga''), and t ...
,
hippos
A hippo or hippopotamus is either of two species of large African mammal which live mainly in and near water:
* Hippopotamus
* Pygmy hippopotamus
Hippo or Hippos may also refer to:
Toponymy
* The ancient city of Hippo Regius (modern Annaba, Alg ...
,
rhinoceroses
A rhinoceros ( ; ; ; : rhinoceros or rhinoceroses), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant taxon, extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates (perissodactyls) in the family (biology), famil ...
antelopes
The term antelope refers to numerous extant or recently extinct species of the ruminant artiodactyl family Bovidae that are indigenous to most of Africa, India, the Middle East, Central Asia, and a small area of Eastern Europe. Antelopes do no ...
(
gnu
GNU ( ) is an extensive collection of free software (394 packages ), which can be used as an operating system or can be used in parts with other operating systems. The use of the completed GNU tools led to the family of operating systems popu ...
,
nyala
The lowland nyala or simply nyala (''Tragelaphus angasii'') is a spiral-horned artiodactyl antelope native to Southern Africa. The species is part of the family Bovidae and the genus '' Tragelaphus'' (formerly placed in the genus ''Nyala''). It ...
,
kudu
The kudus are two species of antelope of the genus '' Tragelaphus'':
* Lesser kudu, ''Tragelaphus imberbis'', of eastern Africa
* Greater kudu, ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'', of eastern and southern Africa
The two species look similar, th ...
,
oryx
''Oryx'' ( ) is a genus consisting of four large antelope species called oryxes. Their pelage is pale with contrasting dark markings in the face and on the legs, and their long horns are almost straight and annulated. The exception is the sci ...
) attract attention from the paired and unpaired hoofed animals. Deer make up a special group. The largest among them are the Bukhara deer and
red deer
The red deer (''Cervus elaphus'') is one of the largest deer species. A male red deer is called a stag or Hart (deer), hart, and a female is called a doe or hind. The red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Anatolia, Ir ...
. There are also
spotted deer
The chital or cheetal (''Axis axis''; ), also called spotted deer, chital deer and axis deer, is a deer species native to the Indian subcontinent. It was first described by Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben in 1777. A moderate-sized deer, mal ...
,
fallow deer
Fallow deer is the common name for species of deer in the genus ''Dama'' of subfamily Cervinae. There are two living species, the European fallow deer (''Dama dama''), native to Europe and Anatolia, and the Persian fallow deer (''Dama mesopotamic ...
argali
The argali (''Ovis ammon''), also known as the mountain sheep, is a wild ovis, sheep native to the highlands of western East Asia, the Himalayas, Tibet, and the Altai Mountains.
Description
The name 'argali' is the Mongolian language, Mongolian ...
,
Siberian ibex
The Siberian ibex (''Capra sibirica''), also known using regionalized names including Altai ibex, Asian ibex, Central Asian ibex, Gobi ibex, Himalayan ibex, Mongolian ibex or Tian Shan ibex, is a polytypic species of ibex, a wild relative of goa ...
grizzly
The grizzly bear (''Ursus arctos horribilis''), also known as the North American brown bear or simply grizzly, is a population or subspecies of the brown bear inhabiting North America.
In addition to the mainland grizzly (''Ursus arctos horr ...
,
rams
In engineering, reliability, availability, maintainability and safety (RAMS)urials, mouflons.
Especially widely represented in the Almaty Zoo are predatory animals of the feline family:
lions
The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large cat of the genus ''Panthera'', native to Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the tip of its tail. It is se ...
,
white lions
White Lion is an American glam metal band that was formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish vocalist Mike Tramp and American guitarist Vito Bratta. Mainly active in the 1980s and early 1990s, they released their debut album ''Fight to Survive ...
,
Persian
Persian may refer to:
* People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language
** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples
** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...
black panthers
The Black Panther Party (originally the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense) was a Marxist–Leninist and black power political organization founded by college students Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton in October 1966 in Oakland, California ...
,
jaguars
The jaguar (''Panthera onca'') is a large cat species and the only living member of the genus ''Panthera'' that is native to the Americas. With a body length of up to and a weight of up to , it is the biggest cat species in the Americas an ...
,
cougars
The cougar (''Puma concolor'') (, '' KOO-gər''), also called puma, mountain lion, catamount and panther is a large small cat native to the Americas. It inhabits North, Central and South America, making it the most widely distributed wild ...
,
servals
The serval (''Leptailurus serval'') is a wild small cat native to Africa. It is widespread in sub-Saharan countries, where it inhabits grasslands, wetlands, moorlands and bamboo thickets. Across its range, it occurs in protected areas, and hu ...
and lynxes.
There is also a subspecies of brown bear - the Tien Shan brown bear (white-headed).
The aviaries with monkeys are always crowded. There are
monkeys
Monkey is a common name that may refer to most mammals of the infraorder Simiiformes, also known as simians. Traditionally, all animals in the group now known as simians are counted as monkeys except the apes. Thus monkeys, in that sense, co ...
and
macaques
The macaques () constitute a genus (''Macaca'') of gregarious Old World monkeys of the subfamily Cercopithecinae. The 23 species of macaques inhabit ranges throughout Asia, North Africa, and Europe (in Gibraltar). Macaques are principally fru ...
,
baboons
Baboons are primates comprising the genus ''Papio'', one of the 23 genera of Old World monkeys, in the family Cercopithecidae. There are six species of baboon: the hamadryas baboon, the Guinea baboon, the olive baboon, the yellow baboon ...
and hamadryls. Of particular interest are the humanoid monkeys -
chimpanzees
The chimpanzee (; ''Pan troglodytes''), also simply known as the chimp, is a species of great ape native to the forests and savannahs of tropical Africa. It has four confirmed subspecies and a fifth proposed one. When its close relative the ...
,
white
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
In 2016, it became known about the death of snow leopards listed in the Red Book, which had previously been donated by foreign zoos 3 A total of seven leopards died. Information about the death of the snow leopards until 2016 was carefully hidden from the public and was not made public. As explained by the administration of the Almaty Zoo leopards died because of improper maintenance, why they were kept so poorly, and why no one was punished for violations in the maintenance of animals, no answer was given. Overall, from 2005 to 2016, the number of animal species in the Almaty Zoo decreased by more than a third, from 523 species to 345.
Also in 2016 it became known about the death of especially valuable and rare species of animals, such as: Amur tigers, hippos, Kazakh mountain sheep (argali), bearded (a bird from the family of hawks), chimpanzees, Turkestan lynx and Bengal tiger.
In October 2016, a 2-year-old giraffe died. In December 2017 the lion "Khan", brought from France, died; the cause of death was a blood disease.
On December 8, 2020, the polar bear Alcor died. On December 7, he turned 31 years old. In the last two months the health of the predator was constantly deteriorating. Algor was one of the old residents of Almaty Zoo; he was brought here from Kaliningrad in 1990. Algor became an unofficial symbol of the zoo.
On May 4, 2024, the polar bear Tom From Prague zoo: “Today (on May 22, 2024) we received the news from Almaty that Tom died on May 4. Tom left here on March 28 and the transport went without any major problems, Tom left us fine, without the slightest clinical signs of anything,” Bobek said. From the zoo in Almaty, according to Bobka, the Prague garden received news of the polar bear for the last time on April 15, saying that it was fine.
Zoo area
Area of the zoo until 1980 was 32 hectares, of which 13 hectares were occupied by aviaries and cages, 19 hectares - ponds for waterfowl. In 1980, a complete reconstruction of the zoo was carried out. Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Kazakh SSR Dinmukhamed Kunayev signed a project to build a new part of the zoo, which would greatly expand it. The project of expanding the zoo was developed by the institute "Almatagiprogor". By the decree of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh SSR, the zoo was allocated an additional 27 hectares of land on a neighboring hillside, previously owned by the state farm "Mountain Giant", for the construction of the zoo. The territory of the zoo was to expand significantly beyond Ormanov Street. The Almaty zoo was to become one of the largest in the country. The territory was not developed by the city zoo for unknown reasons. In 2005, an area of 31.7723 hectares intended for expansion was sold for the construction of luxury housing.
As of 2005, the area of the zoo was 54 hectares (under the exposition - 27 hectares). In 2006, much of the zoo area was alienated for luxury construction and ended up being only 22 hectares and today is only 21 hectares.
Zoo
A zoo (short for zoological garden; also called an animal park or menagerie) is a facility where animals are kept within enclosures for public exhibition and often bred for conservation purposes.
The term ''zoological garden'' refers to zoology, ...