The foreign experts invited to review the Moscow Zoo have suggested to move one of Moscow's top attractions to a less urbanised area in the east of the capital.

      

According to their findings, the animals require better living conditions: more open-air, spacious cages, away from the hustle-and-bustle of the megalopolis, as a minimum. At the same time, there is no parking space for visitors, which causes inconvenience. These are the principal reasons why the 147-year old Zoo may change its location.

      

Should this happen, everything - facilities building at the Izmailovsky Park, relocation and a conversion of the old Zoo premises - is expected to be paid for by the Moscow City authorities. To create a new Zoo, the City would have to splash 150-275mln EUR. The entire redevelopment in Izmailovsky Park would cost around 700mln EUR.

      

The redevelopment plan includes not only a new zoo, but also a new recreation area for children and families, an entertainment centre in the open air, a themed hotel, and a conference area. While providing better entertainment and recreation facilities for citizens and tourists, the new park will also provide up to 3000 workplaces. The new park may be visited by up to 5mln people each year. 

      

The old Zoo premises may be converted into a Moscow analogue of New York's Central Park. It could also become a "hub", combiding a radio, conference and creative facilities for young professionals, and cinemas.

      

The City authorities underline the fact that no advice will be followed just yet. Last year V. Spitsin, the Zoo director, resolutely refused to contemplate a move of the Zoo to the outskirts of Moscow or to the Moscow Region. In his words, the Zoo does not merely "display" the animals - it also creates the conditions for animal preservation. He expressed huge doubts that these conditions could be met elsewhere, to ensure the survival of the animals that currently live at the Zoo. At the same time, he was not "against" the prospect of a new zoological park being created outside Moscow city centre.

      

Sadly, everyone involved in the review and decision making concerning the Zoo, claims that the venture, should it go ahead, is unlikely to attract any support from businesses. "Businesses usually take no interest in such projects", one of the participants is quoted saying.

      

Source: RBC.

Author: Julia Shuvalova

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