The Kyiv Zoo (, Kyivskyi Zoopark) is one of the largest zoos in the former Soviet Union and the only large zoo in Kyiv, Ukraine. Situated on about , the zoo is cared for by 378 staff members and receives about 280,000 visitors annually. History The Kyiv Zoo was founded in 1909 by the Nature Lovers Society and was financed by various private donations. During its first years in business, the zoo experienced some hardships and therefore, did not contain many animals, just 17 different types. During the first winter the zoo was opened, the animals had to be kept in the food storage of the main Kyiv railway station, as the zoo's founders had not found a suitable shelter to keep the animals in during cold weather. Eventually, the shelter was found in the Kyiv Botanical Garden. As the zoo prospered, the number of animals had increased, limiting the space available. It was reported that stray animals frightened the employees of the garden. Only 4 years after the zoo was founded it was given a relatively large, permanent area in the outskirts of Kyiv. In 1913 the animals premises received heating. Since 1914, as the political instability in Imperial Russia tightened, the development of the zoo was held up. Only after the Russian Revolution ended did the zoo recover. During the 1940s (World War II), Kyiv was occupied by the Nazi German forces, and the zoo was being used by the German garrison. Fortunately, the animals were evacuated out of Kyiv, and later returned after the end of the war. In 1970, the bird's pavilion was added, which is considered to be the largest in Europe to date. In 1982, the Animals Island was presented, separated from the visitors by small canals. The Animals Island houses the zoo's large cats (like lions and tigers). In 1996, the zoo was admitted to the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. However, it was expelled and banned in 2017 from the association, over poor conditions and mistreatment of animals. As at April 2018, the zoo is a "Candidate for Membership" of EAZA and as such is being supported towards resuming full membership. In 2008, some 51 animals died in the zoo. A series of controversial deaths also unfolded in 2010 when the 39-year-old elephant of the zoo died on April 26, followed by a camel on May 26, and a bison on