Information
Landmark: Simba ZooCity: Zaporizhzhia
Country: Ukraine
Continent: Europe
Simba Zoo, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Europe
Overview
Simba Zoo, a privately owned attraction, sat at 1 Tekhnikumskaya Street in the heart of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, where parrots once chattered in the warm summer air.Visitors came for the chance to see all kinds of animals, from pacing lions to playful goats, and could spend an afternoon riding horses under the warm sun.The zoo drew both locals and tourists, all eager to stand just feet away from a roaring lion.As of 2024, the latest reports say Simba Zoo has shut its gates and stopped operating.The shutdown came under strain from tough conditions, most of all the war still raging in Ukraine.During the war, Simba Zoo had to evacuate several animals, including a restless zebra that kicked at its crate.In 2022, rescuers moved Simba the lion and Akila the wolf to safety in Romania, far from the roar of cages and cold concrete floors.Animal protection teams pulled off a risky, complicated rescue, working to get every animal out of the war zone-many trembling in their cages as the trucks rumbled away.Later, Simba the lion and another named Mir were relocated from Romania to South Africa.There, in a sun‑dappled wildlife reserve, they found a permanent sanctuary where they could roam safely and live in a natural habitat.Planning a trip to Zaporizhzhia and love zoos or wildlife parks?Make sure you look up the latest details on which places are still open-Simba Zoo, for example, has closed its gates to visitors.You’ll find other nature parks and wildlife centers in the area that offer similar experiences, like spotting herons along a quiet trail.
