A private animal park near the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has been so badly destroyed after fierce fighting that many animals will probably have to be euthanized. The fencing and entire infrastructure were hit by artillery and air force, zoo founder Alexander Feldman said on Facebook on Tuesday. There is no way to transport the animals away and save them.
Feldman called it a “miracle” that tigers, lions and bears have survived until now. However, their cages threatened to collapse at any moment and the predators would break out with them.
2000 animals housed on site
“Maybe we can save the little jaguars and panthers, but maybe we should kill all the adults,” Feldman said. The Feldman Ecopark is a 140 hectare landscape park in eastern Ukraine, established in 2013. About 2000 animals are housed on the site.
NGO wants to save zoo animals from death
The Ukrainian animal rights organization Uanimals is still trying to save the predators: they want to take them to a nature reserve, they announced on Facebook. The zoo’s founder was asked not to act hastily. Talks are currently underway about a possible transport of the tigers, lions and bears.
On February 24, Russia launched its internationally condemned war against Ukraine. The Kharkiv region – right on the border with Russia – was one of the first targets. The fighting for the second largest city in Ukraine was fought with particular intensity, using air force and artillery. Large parts of the city have been destroyed and civilians have died.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
