The invasion of Ukraine uprooted the lives of millions of people, resulting in a wide-scale refugee crisis. The implications of war are also affecting wild animals, especially captive ones who get caught in the crossfire and urgent missions were launched to remove the animals from the country.
Three of the rescued lions at the Poznań Zoo in Poland.
‘We’ve already lost our hope… yesterday around 18 o’clock we received the tragic news that the transport of animals we are waiting for were surrounded by Russian tanks on the Polish border,’ a report by Poznań Zoo in Poland read. The zoo was one of the locations where a convoy of tigers and lions were taken in. Some animals were also sent to shelters in Belgium and Spain.
Lions on their way to Belgium.
‘We spent the night waiting for the news, fearing the worst,’ the report continued. ‘Today a miracle happened! Kiev defenders carried out transport through the occupation line. They’re on their way! For their safety, we can’t give further details now.’
Six lions, six tigers, two caracals and an African wild dog were being transported to Poznań Zoo. This would serve as their temporary home while a more permanent solution was sought. These animals were removed from Wild Animal Rescue, an organisation near Kyiv.
Zair, an African wild dog rescued from Ukraine
Take a look at some of the rescue efforts:
They had to take a 25-hour journey across Europe and arrived safely at their shelters. Below are two lions, Tsar and Jamil, leaving their crates after arriving in Belgium thanks to Stichting AAP, an organisation that works towards a better future for zoo animals.
Animals left in Ukraine
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is still working to save bears at the White Rock Bear Shelter, a bear rehabilitation centre outside of Kyiv. The centre reported to IFAW on 8 March that more shelling occurred, damaging the facilities and resulting in the loss of both human and animal life.
Pictures: Stichting AAP
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