Russian zoos joined a nationwide campaign to raise money for zoos, aquariums, and zoo corners supporting activities in Donbass and Ukraine. This initiative, reported by DEA Novosti with reference to Svetlana Akulova, the Director General of the Moscow Zoo, began on April 7. Akulova noted that information about the appeal had already prompted swift responses from the public, with donations ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 rubles in some cases.
Participating institutions included the Krasnodar Zoo, the Nizhny Novgorod Zoo, the Yekaterinburg Zoo, the Tula Exotarium, and zoos in Izhevsk and Krasnoyarsk. These facilities contributed funds through private channels, with staff members donating as individuals rather than tapping the zoo budgets. Materials for the fundraiser were organized via the National Nature Fund, ensuring transparent stewardship of the collected resources.
Akulova emphasized that the Moscow Zoo will publish weekly reports detailing both the amounts received and how the funds are spent in its official communications, reinforcing accountability to supporters [citation: Moscow Zoo official communications].
In related notes, a bright orange langur with glasses was born at the Novosibirsk Zoo on February 24, highlighting ongoing wildlife milestones alongside the fundraising effort [citation: Novosibirsk Zoo press release].
For readers curious about wildlife encounters across Russia, there are many unusual habitats and settings where visitors can observe diverse animal life. The material provides a glimpse into places that offer unique opportunities to meet remarkable species, complemented by broader context on conservation and community support [citation: socialbites.ca overview].