History of Bion

Founded in 1993, BION Terrarium Center originally operated as a commercial import-export business before developing into one of Europe’s most established captive-breeding institutions. Driven by the conviction that captive-bred specimens are the best alternative to those obtained from the wild, the facility transitioned into a science-driven operation. By 2010, the opening of a dedicated Breeding Center formalized a shift away from wholesale trading and toward the long-term, multi-generational management of rare and valuable species. 

Scale and Specialization

BION approaches animal breeding by making demanding, difficult-to-breed species its core focus. The institution is supported by extensive infrastructure and a specialized workforce: 

• Facilities: The center spans more than 2,000 m² and features 25 specialized laboratories, a greenhouse for large species, an area for research and education, and live-feed insect production. 
• Species Diversity: Over its history, BION has bred around 150 species of amphibians and reptiles. The facility keeps up to 80 species in breeding-ready numbers at any given time. 
• Uroplatus Program: BION has successfully reproduced nearly half of all described leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus) species, a demanding achievement given that captive-hatched animals typically require up to three years to reach breeding maturity. 
• Staff: A team of 30 professionals manages animal husbandry, live food production, logistics, scientific research, and administration. 

Key Historical Milestones

BION’s growth into a multi-laboratory breeding institution developed steadily over three decades: 

• 1993: The center opened its first indoor breeding and quarantine facility. All animal transport was organized to comply with IATA and CITES specifications from the very beginning. 
• 2010–2011: BION opened its formal Breeding Center with parent stock sourced from across the globe and established EKZOLAND (later – Ekzo Zoo), a private zoo operating to the same high husbandry standards. 
• 2017–2019: The Responsible Zooculture Center opened to host seminars and training, and BION Director Dmitri Tkachev formally presented the Responsible Herpetoculture concept at the 2019 Herpeton conference in San Diego. 
• 2020–2021: Despite the pandemic, BION expanded breeding programs for Parson’s chameleons, Uroplatus, Uromastyx, Xenagama, Egernia, Timon, and many other species. Our team continues to refine keeping and breeding techniques for the species in our care, while maintaining extensive connections with colleagues worldwide. 
• 2022–2025: Between 2022 and 2025, the facility bred over 100,000 specimens, including approximately 300 satanic leaf-tailed geckos in 2024 alone. By 2025, work was ongoing on new and upgraded housing facilities. Throughout these years, the BION team continued to conduct scientific research and participate in international conferences, publishing 24 digital and print issues of the Responsible Herpetoculture Journal. 
• 2026: We continue to drive technical innovation by outfitting BION and Ekzo Zoo buildings with inverters, batteries, and solar panels. We are equipping a new, large laboratory at BION alongside two specialized laboratories at Ekzo Zoo, while carrying out routine repairs and preparing new spaces for winter. We remain focused on breeding new species, advancing educational and methodological outreach, and conducting research. Life goes on. 

Continuity Through Conflict

Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 halted air exports immediately and forced emergency animal evacuations. In June 2022, BION absorbed roughly 1,000 lizards and domestic animals evacuated from a partner’s shelled facility in Kharkiv. Despite months of blackouts and repeated strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid threatening life-support systems, BION matched and often exceeded its pre-war breeding volumes. 

This resilience was bolstered by international cooperation: the German Society for Herpetology and Terrarium Science (DGHT), Zoo Med Laboratories, the Association of Zoos of Ukraine, and the Governments of Poland and Moldova all provided critical assistance and helped maintain functional transit routes. 

Export Compliance and Global Reach

BION treats its paperwork as definitive proof that legitimate breeding programs are distinct from the illicit wildlife trade. Every animal’s origin, breeding history, and CITES status is fully traceable. Every shipment complies with CITES documentation and IATA Live Animals Regulations. This strict adherence to legal export standards has established BION as a trusted supplier for zoos, private keepers, and breeding centers across the Americas, the European Union, Asia, and the Middle East. 

Conservation, Research, and Education

Beyond the laboratory, BION is deeply integrated into the scientific and conservation communities. 

• The center partners with the Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ukrainian Association of Zoos(AZU) and contributes to Scopus-indexed, peer-reviewed publications. 
• BION conducts husbandry seminars for zookeepers, supports diploma research for natural sciences students, and participates in wartime science-education initiatives for children. 
• The Responsible Herpetoculture Foundation, launched publicly on March 31, 2022, has already published the 28th issue of its bimonthly Responsible Herpetoculture Journal, featuring international contributors and experts.