There are several animal homes in Lviv, where birds, foxes, dogs, bears, horses, raccoons, exotic animals, etc. live. Some of them were once saved from abuse, others were taken to new homes from the street. Even during a walk, everyone can stop by to look at the animals, treat them to vegetables, fruits, meat, or food, and donate some money for their keeping if possible.
«Home of rescued animals»
You can visit animals in the «Home of rescued animals» in the park «Znesinnia» («Demolition»), on the Oleksy Dovbusha, 24 street. Located in the park between the High Castle and Bald Mountain, this is a full-fledged center for keeping and rehabilitation of wild animals, which has been operating for three years. About 280 animals live in the «House», among them rescued foxes, wolves, dogs, horses, owls, goats, storks, and roe deer.
«Home of rescued animals» is open daily from 10.00 to 17.00, admission is free. You can bring fruits, vegetables, meat, dog and cat food, nuts, grains, fish, etc. for the animals.
Treasure forest
Not far from Lviv, in the village of Lopushna, there is a real ranch called «Treasure Mountain». Here you can not only relax, but also try yourself in horseback riding.
Visitors are invited to ride on the ranch area, which can be done by anyone under the supervision of an instructor. A 30 minute ride costs UAH 250, 10 minutes – UAH 100. You can also go for a walk in the woods or around the «Treasure Mountain», which will cost 500 UAH for 1 hour or 750 UAH for 2 hours.
The ranch offers a training course, after which you will be able to go on a real several-day horseback ride. The price is UAH 3,500 for 10 lessons. Educated riders can go on a tour, which is organized at the ranch in May and October and costs 2000 UAH per day. Details can be found on the website.
«Domazhyr» centre of rescue and rehabilitation of brown bears
Another unique place, which can be visited with children, is the centre of rescue and rehabilitation of brown bears in Ukraine «Bear Sanctuary Domazhyr«, located in the village of Zhornyska, Yavoriv District.
The place is not only a bear shelter inhabited by the animals, as there is also a large educational and recreational space on the territory, where you can take part in various activities, eat in cafes and have fun.
«Domazyr» is functioning every day from 10.00 to 19.00, except Monday. Tickets for adults are UAH 100, for children and students – UAH 50, and a discounted ticket costs UAH 40. It is also possible to buy a family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) worth UAH 250.
Raccoon House
«Raccoon House» is a non-standard private zoo located on the outskirts of the city, at 22 Navkolyshnia street. The zoo was set up by a couple in the yard of their own house, and now there is a spacious aviary for raccoons there.
Visitors can come with their children every day, but only by appointment. Entrance fee is 200 UAH for adults and children. Raccoons are very agile and love people, but these little animals can steal keys or phones from visitors’ pockets, so the latter are advised to be careful in this sense. You can reach the owners via Facebook or on +380 97 457 2786.
Lviv city children’s ecological and naturalistic center
Lviv’s ecological and naturalistic center is a multidisciplinary institution of out-of-school education, located at Kubanska, 12. Children here are engaged in clubs and learn how to care for the environment. Its first owner was prominent Polish scientist Benedict Dybowski, who was once a doctor for native Alaskans on the Aleutian Islands.
The center invites you to visit their exhibitions and look at exotic animals and ornamental plants. In total, the exhibition includes about 130 species of animals, including 30 species of reptiles and amphibians and more than 40 species of birds, the rest belong to mammals.
The center is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00, on Sundays from 10.00 to 15.00. Admission is free, but there is a box where you can donate money to support the animals if you wish.
Zoo in Shevchenkivskyi Hai
There is also a small zoo in Shevchenkivskyi Hai («Grove’), at Chernecha Hora 1, which resembles the manor of an ordinary Ukrainian farm. There are chickens, geese, turkeys, goat horses, swans in the pond, roe deer and a donkey.
You can come to the zoo every day from 10.00 to 17.00, on Monday from 9.00 to 17.00. Children under 6 years old can enter free of charge. For those older than 6, the ticket price is UAH 30, for adults – UAH 50.
Limpopo Zoo
One of the largest zoos in Western Ukraine is located in the village of Medenychi, about an hour’s drive southwest of Lviv. The area of this space equals 4 hectares. It is home to more than 500 animals, representing different species of fauna from different continents, including South America and Australia. Most animals are kept in spacious enclosures, such as polar wolves, tigers, llamas.
Sofia Shavranska
Translated by Vitalii Holich
Photos by homes for animals and zoos
