In the zoo, we had some sort of freedom
author
Alexandre Khit
Alexandre was born in Moscow in 1958. From 1976 to 1992 he worked at the Moscow Zoo, taking care of elephants, fulfilling his childhood dream. He started as an assistant, as soon as he got out of school, then he studied zoology at Simpheropol University in Ukraine. Later he was put in charge of the elephants at the zoo. In 1985, Alexandre joined the Communist Party, because it was the only way to pursue his dream of travel. In the year 1987 alone, he first visited Franz Josef Land to get polar bears for the Moscow Zoo, then was able to exchange experiences with his colleagues in Laos and Berlin.
Postcard
- Postcard Text
- Hi Sasha and Luba, Being in Africa is like a dream come true. It is amazing, we were able to observe a herd of 18 elephants. We have also seen lions, leopards, hippo, crocodiles, antelopes and more. We travelled over 7000 km through national parks in South Africa. We spent a whole month there, and during that time, it felt like all of life’s normal problems were a world away. I’ll probably come to Moscow in 1992. With heartfelt greetings, Jan and Christiana.
- Moscow Zoo
- That card was sent to Alexander by a German friend who was working in South Africa with his wife. At that time, it was highly uncommon for a Soviet citizen to receive a postcard from Africa. Alexander had had the chance to meet them when travelling abroad for his job at the zoo.
- RSA
- Republic of South Africa
personal archives
Hunting for polar bears
Alexander Khit during a mission in the Franz Joseph Land in the Artic
country: Soviet Union / year:
Alexander Khit during a mission in the Franz Joseph Land in the Artic. After a few years as the head of the elephant enclosure of the Moscow Zoo, in 1985 Alexander decided to join the Communist party, because membership would allow him to travel for his job. In 1987 he took part in a mission to the Far North whose goal was to capture 4 polar bears to complete the collections of the zoos in Moscow and Tallin.
Expedition to the Artic Pole
Team of the expedition to Franz-Joseph Land (Arctic).
country: Soviet Union / year:
Team of the expedition to Franz-Joseph Land (Arctic). In 1987 Alexander Khit left with a team of expert to hunt 4 polar bears. Among the team : Vladimir Stein ( assistant director at Tallin zoo), Rudolph Goranin (ex-pilot in polar aviation) and Yuta Plets (nuclear physisist). Alexander managed to enter the team as nobody else wanted to go while he was always looking for an opportunity to travel abroad.
Meeting in San Diego
Leaflet published in San Diego announcing a meeting with Alexandre Khit.
country: / year:
Leaflet published in San Diego announcing a meeting with Alexandre Khit. Thanks to his job at the Moscow Zoo, and because he was a Party member, Alexander Khit enjoyed the opportunity of going abroad to Laos and the USA to share his experience of working with elephants.
The Zoo
Khit with an elephant at the Moscow zoo.
country: Soviet Union / year:
Khit with an elephant at the Moscow zoo. Alexander worked in the Moscow Zoo from 1976 to 1992. He started working at the zoo just after the school, as an assistant, before going on to become the head of the elephant enclosure at the Moscow Zoo. To join the staff of the Zoo, Khit had to be enrolled in the zoo’s Komsomol section, but overall, the zoo was quite free from the Party influence.