The communal enterprise “Lutsk Zoo” was founded in 1979. Then, in the spring, the first settlers of the zoo were brought to the regional center of Volyn – red deer, ostriches, mute swans.

However, over the decades of activity, success or failure in the development of the Lutsk Zoo often depended on both the attention of the first persons of the regional center and the dedication to the work of the management of the enterprise. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the zoo was not going through the best of times. And then from year to year the situation only worsened.

As of 2012, the utility company had many problems, the main of which were a lack of funds for current activities and accumulated debt obligations.

However, despite this, it is from this time that systemic changes for the better are observed here. And a huge impetus for development was the participation of the people of Lutsk in the project “Modernization of zoos in Zamostia and Lutsk, as well as development of the concept of creating a recreation area in Rzeszów with the aim of developing cross-border nature tourism”, which was implemented with the funds of the Cross-Border Cooperation Program Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2007-2013 of the European Neighborhood and Partnership Initiative.

Its budget for Lutsk amounted to more than 1,528,153.51 euros, for which there were built expositions for bears and lions with enclosures, swimming pools and observation decks, general improvement of the territory had been carried out, many issues that allowed work on the further development of the zoo had been resolved. So since that time, it has been the most comfortable place to relax in nature within the boundaries of the regional center of Volyn.

Now the Lutsk Zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos of Ukraine (AZU) and the united system of the world’s zoos – Species360. Thanks to this membership, the enterprise adopts the best experience of the world’s leading zoos in keeping animals, enriching the environment for them in existing enclosures, and replenishes the zoo’s collection.

So the management is optimistic about future plans. Although now, when the active phase of the war with the Russian invaders has been going on for more than half a year, the main thing is to preserve the enterprise and the collection, ensuring the safety of both the animals and the team. And after the victory, the enterprise will continue to work, improve, and carry out scientific and educational activities.

The main goal of the Lutsk Zoo is the preservation and reproduction of rare animals in semi-free conditions. As of today, 146 species of animals with a total number of 2,300 individuals live here. Among the wards of the zoo are those listed in the “Red Book of Ukraine”.

Educational work is carried out in the zoo. This is first confirmed by the functioning of the exhibits available to visitors. In addition, thematic holidays, demonstration feedings, lectures, and excursions on nature protection topics are held on the territory. Established cooperation with local and all-Ukrainian mass media in highlighting the activities of the Lutsk Zoo and creating educational articles, photos and video materials.

Considerable attention is paid in the zoo to the rescue of animals from the wild that have fallen into difficult circumstances. Some of the animals are returned to their natural environment after complete recovery, and some replenish the collection because they are unable to survive on their own due to injuries.

Separately, it is worth emphasizing that the Lutsk Zoo pays considerable attention to seasonal landscaping. In general, visitors can see more than 4,000 flowers, plants, and trees on the territory of the enterprise, as well as on the alley leading to the main entrance. And the picture changes depending on the season: from primroses or irises in the spring to roses or chrysanthemums, which bloom until deep autumn or even until December.