Yalta is at risk of losing its crocodilarium

Yalta is at risk of losing its crocodilarium

Yalta is at risk of losing its crocodilarium
The concerns of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance may lead to the liquidation of many enterprises in the Crimea that organize cultural and entertainment events with animals.  The reason is the mandatory licensing of activities related to the keeping and use of animals.  It was introduced by the federal law (No. 498-FZ of December 27, 2018), however, some owners and managers of zoos and dolphinariums did not manage to obtain permission until 2022.

First of all, we are talking about the compliance of aquariums and enclosures with the area standards established by law.  In some cases, this proved difficult or even impossible, as it requires additional time and financial investment.  As a result, a legal act, which was supposed to increase the safety of visitors to the corners of nature and make places for keeping animals more tolerable, may turn out to be the reason for the ‘eviction’ of the inhabitants and the closure of establishments.
The well-known Yalta crocodilarium turned out to be one step away from being closed down.
As the head of the organization Viktor Zhilenko told the media, it was impossible to fulfill the instructions of the supervisory authority.  Crocodiles do not have enough ‘living space’ provided for in the law (for example, 10 square meters per Nile alligator).

It is known that the license was obtained by the Alushta Aquarium, which is also owned by Zhilenko.  To do this, the owner had to abandon the service of feeding a flock of crocodiles for visitors.  This made it possible to leave 45 reptiles living there.

More than 100 reptiles live in the Yalta crocodilarium.  In total, there are nine species of crocodiles (Siamese, Cuban, African blunt-nosed, etc.), as well as pythons, monitor lizards, turtles and iguanas.  The collection of reptiles is considered the largest in the country.  What will happen to the animals in the event of a closure?
Despite the favorable conditions that have been created for the breeding and keeping of reptiles, the facility is legally subject to closure.
At the same time, several dozen reptiles are about to be born in an incubator.

According to the head of the Yalta crocodilarium, many owners and directors of organizations working with animals were outraged by the rule of law that came into force.  The Commonwealth of Oceanariums and Zoos in Russia has previously paid attention to the riskiness of a number of norms prescribed in the law.

Victor Zhilenko prepared an appeal to the authorities with a proposal to make adjustments to the regulatory framework, to take into account the professional recommendations of specialists.  However, there is no time to do this before the closure of many zoos in the country.

18.01.2022