Odessa Zoo Faces Over 1 Billion UAH Renovation Bill: What’s on the Drawing Board.

Planned Overhaul for Odessa Zoo

According to Novyny.live: The proposed renovation of Odessa Zoo has sparked intense debate, as its price tag exceeds 1 billion Ukrainian hryvnias. Preliminary estimates place the total project cost at 1.15 billion UAH, with the first phase alone requiring around 270 million UAH. For context, the zoo currently spans approximately 6.5 hectares and is a popular attraction in the city.

Plans include building new animal enclosures, walking paths, an amphitheater, and expanding the zoo’s footprint.

Funding Challenges and Outlook

The renovation could stretch over a decade, but the municipal budget currently allocates no funds for these ambitions. Zoo director Ihor Belyakov has opposed any potential relocation of the facility, highlighting the complexity of the situation and the need for a compromise on the redevelopment approach.

Notably, in 2025 the city allocated approximately 1.46 billion UAH to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which will likely constrain funding for other projects, including the zoo’s overhaul. In 2024, the city council earmarked about 5 million UAH for a new boiler for the elephant house—a sign of continued attention to the zoo’s needs, though far from sufficient for a full-scale renovation.

As a result, the future of the Odessa Zoo renovation remains uncertain, hinging on the municipal budget’s financial capacity and public support. With limited resources and pressing military needs, the zoo project may remain a lower priority, underscoring the need for careful allocation of the city’s budget.