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A highlight of the dolphin show at the Kyiv Dolphinarium. Yaroslav Debelyi Kyivans no longer need to travel to seaside resorts to see the cute dolphins, since not just one but two dolphinaria are now holding regular shows in the city.

One of them is the Kyiv Dolphinarium that sprung up about a year ago at Spartak stadium, and has just reopened after the summer break with “Kobzov Aqua Show” program. The other one is Nemo, a brand new franchise of the famous Odesa namesake dolphinarium.

"Kobzov Aqua Show" is an offshoot of the Kobzov Circus, a major company in Ukraine, which has also opened dolphin shows in Lviv and Dnipropetrovsk. It is based in a split-design dolphinarium equipped with a special pool – five meters deep and 16 meters in diameter, a stage and professional sound and lighting systems. The stars of the "Kobzov Aqua Show" are rare white dolphins Larik and Prosha – both males from the Sea of Okhotsk, and a more traditional grey bottlenose dolphin Flora, female from the Black Sea. And of course there are seals: five-year old fur seal Vanya from the Bering Sea, South-American sea lion Mitya and walrus Sultan from Chukotka. As an additional entertainment option, guests can check out the exhibition of exotic fish on the premises.

Unlike Kobzov, Nemo is a stationary dolphinarium constructed on the territory of Lyodovy Stadium in Holosiyivsky district of the city, boasting a pool 20 meters in diameter, surrounded by 900 seats for visitors. The complex also includes an “oceanarium” that exhibits a great collection of fish from around the world. Nemo’s shows feature four bottlenose dolphins – Skipper, Flipper, Boatswain and Casper and three fur seals – Klepa, Bonya and Norma. Apart from animal performances, guests are entertained by acrobats and professional swimmers. Nemo also includes a dolphin therapy center that offers health courses for children with development handicaps, a course for pregnant women and a relaxation course. You can also go diving with dolphins (Hr 1,000 for 30 minutes) or communicate and swim with dolphins (Hr 800 per 10 minutes). Nemo will stay open all year round.


Kyiv Dolphinarium (105 Frunze, Spartak Stadium, 455-8585). www.delfini.kiev.ua

Shows: Tue-Fri at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Tickets Hr 50-70; Sat-Sun at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., Tickets Hr 70-90.



Nemo (9 Hlushkova, Lyodovy Stadium, 520-5555). www.nemokiev.com

Shows: Tue-Sun at noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., Tickets Hr 60-80, for children under 5 years old – free admission.