A new, large enclosure for apes was opened in Feldman Ecopark. From now on, the visitors to the Regional Landscape Park will be able to watch the human’s closest relatives not only in summer, but also in winter. The construction of the spacious home for monkeys started in summer 2017, and, according to Feldman Ecopark’s specialists, it completely meets the modern requirements to maintenance and exposure of these animals.
“It is a residential estate with rooms for primates and utility spaces. There is a ventilation system, heating and heated floors in it. The apes – 6 chimpanzees and 4 orangutans – will live here. They have been resettled in the enclosures indoors before, which were closed for the visitors. Now, they will be able to watch the monkey show “behind the glass” all the year round,” Feldman Ecopark’s deputy director of zootechnics Valeriia Ivashchenko told. “The construction of a nursery room for Jerome, the chimpanzee kid is currently finished. It will live there under the care of animal keepers till it grows up. Meanwhile, the construction of the new summer enclosure for the apes is carried out. We are planning to open it before the beginning of the warm season, for our favourites to be able to gambol in the open air. In the meantime, they are adapting to their fashionable winter apartment.”
According to Valeriia Ivashchenko, a huge attention during the construction of the new monkey home was paid not only to the security, comfort and presentable look (for visitors), but also to the animals well-being – the enrichment of their life environment. On this issue, the specialists of Feldman Ecopark were comprehensively consulted by the representatives of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). It should be reminded that the Regional Landscape Park is a candidate member of this organization.
It should be also reminded that the primate collection of Feldman Ecopark is the largest in Ukraine and includes nearly 200 animals of 30 species.
