Pioneering director of Novosibirsk Zoo died age 75 following medical treatment in Israel.
With more than 11,000 animals from 702 species - about 150 of them are from them World Red Book - Novosibirsk Zoo is a popular tourist attraction with almost a million visitors annually, and a noted scientific institution.
One of the largest in Russia, it boasts a world record in captive breeding programmes for endangered species.
Rostislav Shilo, Zoo’s Director since 1969, says that there are only two other self-supporting zoos in the world - in Singapore and in San Diego.
Cases of mother bears successfully raising 'twins' in captivity are extremely rare.
Overseas visitors to Novosibirsk Zoo will be able to learn about attractions and use GPS technology to explore using their phones.
Baby lynx is raised by a domestic cat.
Biggest and 'best' in Russia, it is more like a 'reserve' than a traditional zoo.
Baby Gertruda is growing fast but is too playful to stay still on the scales long enough for a weight check.
Shilka became a global star last year in her pen in Novosibirsk but now she is set to be big in Japan after bid to keep her in Russia fails.
A 48 year old woman died as she cleaned the cage of a five year old female cat and her seven month old cub.