Ukraine’s biggest open enclosure for apes (with the area of more than 2 hectares) was opened in Feldman Ecopark. From now on, during the warm season, six chimpanzees and four orangutans will gambol in the spacious green open-air ground, while the visitors are able to watch them through the transparent glass walls. The construction of the enclosures is carried out within the framework of the World Open Foundation for Animal Rehabilitation and Reintroduction (WOFARR). One of the most important fields of activities of the Foundation, which is integrated into Feldman Ecopark, is the preservation and restoration of the population of rare species.
“WOFARR’s activities aimed at the rescue of rare species of animals is an opportunity for Ukraine to take a decent place in the global animal protection movement. In particular, the matter is in the preservation of rare species of primates, and first of all apes. There were not so many organizations in Ukraine, which dealt with the solution of this problem, until WOFARR and Feldman Ecopark joined in,” the President of the World Open Foundation for Animal Rehabilitation and Reintroduction, Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Feldman noted. “That is why we set global goals: to create conditions for breeding and potential reintroduction of rare and endangered animals. And one of the fields of this work is the creation of reserve, artificial populations for the preservation of biodiversity in different parts of our planet.”
It should be noted that such rare species of primates as black-and-white ruffed lemurs, Barbary macaques, and mandrills breed in Feldman Ecopark regularly. A year ago, a chimpanzee was born here for the first time.
“The rescue of apes from annihilation is a serious and global problem, however, only several special centres deal with it, like the Apenheul Primate Park (the city of Apeldoorn, the Netherlands). It is pleasant to note that Feldman Ecopark’s collection of primates is comparable with the Dutch one at least by the number of species. We adhere to the same principle as our Dutch counterparts – we keep not just a single animal and even not the couples of one species, but small artificial populations, the groups of primates. It is very important for the comfort of such highly organized social animals as chimpanzees, baboons, macaques, lemurs and others,” the head of the Feldman Ecopark’s department of science and monitoring Andrii Hapchenko noted.
He emphasized that the new enclosure for apes, which was opened in Feldman Ecopark, is the biggest in Ukraine as of today.
“The new summer home for primates was constructed based on the recommendations given by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (ЕАZA), where Feldman Ecopark is a Candidate for Membership for two years. In accordance with the modern concept of animal well-being, the near-natural conditions were created and the elements of environmental enrichment were added in the enclosure,” Andrii Hapchenko told.
There are both the natural elements in the new enclosure (like trees, grass, boulders, sand) and the special equipment for primates (trapezes, bridges, hammocks). It is planned to make a pool and artificial mounds here. In case of bad weather, the monkeys are able to find a shelter in the special houses. When the cold weather comes, they will return to their winter residence situated nearby. It should be noted that the construction of enclosures became possible thanks to the charitable campaign “The Art of Mercy.”
It should be reminded that in winter, Feldman Ecopark built a big comfortable winter enclosure for chimpanzees and orangutans. It is equipped with heat and ventilation system, heated floor and sewerage.
It should be also reminded that the collection of primates in Feldman Ecopark is one of the biggest in Eastern Europe. It includes nearly 250 animals of more than 30 species. Many of these animals are in the IUCN Red List. Nevertheless, the collection constantly increases with the newborns due to the right maintenance conditions and proper care.
