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In 1972, the USSR and the USA signed the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection, a landmark event that placed environmental policy on the same agenda as the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT). This commitment to environmental stewardship set the stage for the creation of a poster in 1988 for the Moscow Zoo, or Moskovsky Zoopark, a symbol of conservation and connection between urban life and the natural world.
Founded in 1864, the Moscow Zoo evolved from a small space to the largest zoo in Russia. Its history and role in conservation are captured in the striking poster, designed to raise donations for the zoo. The dominant colors of black, white, and red create a visual impact, highlighting illustrations of animals and symbols, including a bear and a giraffe. The text "Фонд помощи зоопаркам" and "Account 703 to help the zoos" emphasizes the call to action.
The poster's design aligns with the broader values of the time, reflecting the Soviet Union's redefining identity and the beginning of the end of the Cold War. The Moscow Zoo's resilience, even remaining open during World War II, serves as a testament to its significance within Russian culture.
