Friedrich Falz-Fein, the founder, created the reserve as a private estate before turning it into a public sanctuary.
The reserve is home to the world's largest herd of Przewalski's horses outside their native Mongolia.
It is the only place in Europe with a large, permanently protected patch of virgin feather-grass steppe.
The park contains a man-made irrigation system and pond network essential for the survival of the botanical garden in a semi-arid zone.
The zoo holds a diverse collection of ungulates that are rotated between fenced paddocks and vast steppe ranges.
Askania-Nova is the oldest steppe nature reserve in the world, founded in 1898 by Friedrich Falz-Fein. The park spans 33,000 hectares of virgin tipchak-feather grass steppe that has never been touched by a plow. It serves as an acclimation zoo where animals from across the globe roam in large, semi-free enclosures. The site is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve. The collection includes species such as Przewalski's horses, bison, saiga antelopes, and various exotic birds. The botanical garden features an irrigation system designed in the late 19th century to support non-native trees in the arid climate. Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the reserve is currently located in a temporarily occupied territory, significantly impacting operations and accessibility.
The central decorative pond area with the surrounding stone grottoes and bridges.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes to navigate the extensive unpaved paths.
Bring binoculars as the animals are often kept in large enclosures spanning significant distances.
Plan for high sun exposure as shade is limited outside the central botanical park area.
Attempting to enter restricted core protection zones without a certified guide, as these areas are strictly off-limits to preserve the ecosystem.
Operations are currently severely restricted or suspended due to the active war zone status and occupation of the Kherson region.
Strictly follow designated paths, do not attempt to feed or approach wildlife, and refrain from loud noises that disturb grazing animals.
