Askania-Nova

ASKANIA-NOVA (old name Chapli), or the State Steppe Reserve of Ukraine, with the famous zoological park located on its territory. The reserve occupies about 50,000 hectares of steppe. The greater part of the steppe is set aside for fine-wooled sheep farming (20,000 head), crops, and the grazing of cattle and camels. Income from livestock and grain farming serves as special funding for the reserve. 6,600 hectares of feather-grass steppe have been set aside as a protected area, guarded against cultivation and sheep. Within the limits of the Askania steppe, there are two settlements: Askania-Nova itself and, 23 km away, Dorenburg. Askania-Nova and Dorenburg are laid out in the style of southern German colonies. In Askania-Nova, there is a zoological park with an exotic population, scientific research institutions, and the administration of the reserve. Dorenburg is a state farm that serves the needs of the reserve. A selection station is also located there. Within the limits of Askania-Nova itself, a park has been laid out, cut into two parts by a street. One part of the park is called the zoological park, the other the botanical park. The parks are populated by numerous pheasants, cranes, peacocks, and other decorative birds. On the ponds are numerous representatives of waterfowl and wading birds (swans, geese, ducks of various species), flamingos, herons, spoonbills, and others. The section of the steppe closest to the park (approx. 160 hectares), enclosed by a wire fence, is populated by exotic animals (antelopes, deer, bison, rams, goats, llamas, ostriches, etc.). Some of the animals, brought from Africa, America, and Asia, live in the open steppe under the supervision of mounted shepherds. The beginning of the organization of the Askania-Nova zoological park dates back to the 1890s. The zoological park was organized by the wealthy landowner Falz-Fein, who died in Germany in 1920. The fame of Askania-Nova is connected with the fact that the institution was not only for display but also established itself through scientific research work. In Askania-Nova, a great deal of experience has been accumulated in the acclimatization of animals, in the artificial insemination of agricultural animals, in the study of the dependence of sex characteristics on the sex glands, and in many purely livestock-related issues. To study the vegetation cover and animal population of the protected area and the entire surrounding region, a botanical-zoological station with a permanent staff of employees is being organized. The station includes soil and meteorological departments. For the experimental study of livestock farming, a zootechnical station has been organized. It is most convenient to travel to Askania-Nova either from the Novo-Alekseyevka station of the Southern Railway or from the town of Kakhovka on the Dnieper. Buses run from Askania-Nova to Novo-Alekseyevka and Kakhovka.