Sad news from Kiev Zoo

[AmyEvans]

Today at work (I work at a Zoo) we had a conference call with an administrator of the Kiev Zoo who until recently was in the city of Kiev tending to evacuations of the animals being kept there and has since moved temporarily at least to the city of Lviv. His mission now is trying to secure as much assistance as possible for the Kiev Zoo, its eventual reconstruction efforts and lives of animals that can be saved. I know that my zoo will be donating to their cause and at least another two large zoos in the west coast of the United States will be helping as well. Hopefully more zoos join soon.

I live so many thousands of miles away from this place, a place I have never visited or know anyone there, but my heart breaks for everyone in this country and the poor animals that are now still stuck in the horrors of war and monstrosities committed by man with hearts of stone. We watched clips of an Elephant that is seriously traumatized by the bombs constantly falling, it was heartbreaking. Other animals looked so sad and scared, I have not cried this much since the passing of a dear family member. How can something like this happen in 2022, after so much that world has endured and now this? I will never understand evil man and their need to hurt and destroy, it makes no sense at all. There was another city called Kharkiv if I'm not mistaken, and they also had a zoo, the bombs actually hit their zoo many of the animals escaped and others never made it out, a lion was killed by artillery fire, and zoo employees there reported that it has been very difficult to manage the animals as their own family members have been killed.

I'm not sure if this will eventually become a larger effort where the general public can join, as of right now it seems to be a joint effort coordinated by zoos all over the world to help Kiev Zoo and ultimately all of the zoos in Ukraine. I know that this post might seem unimportant to some of you, as there is so much loss of human lives and the people of the Ukraine are enduring a hell like no other, but I think that those of you who have worked with animals before and especially those who work in zoos will understand where I'm coming from, because there is not much being talked about the animals but they are suffering too.

It is kind of hard to take my mind of all the horrors I have seen today, I keep on thinking about all these people and the animals, may god help them.

 

[NZFanatic]

I've been deliberately avoiding news of Kiev Zoo. It breaks my heart. There were similar things going on in Baghdad during their wars, too. Nothing worse than feeling helpless.

I wish zoos were considered 'sacred', like churches, places to be avoided in the event of battle.

 

[FoxyDee]

It is really is horrible, not only civilians suffer, but often overlooked, animals too. Men and their wars…always the same…

I have donated to some Ukrainian pet shelters because there are currently alot of pets in the streets that were left by their owners and many of them died of heart attack or injuries from weapons. I also heard they evacuated some big cats from Kiev Zoo, because they are “more valuable” I guess ? While alot of other animals are still there. :/

 

[Doran]

I also heard they evacuated some big cats from Kiev Zoo, because they are “more valuable” I guess ? While alot of other animals are still there. :/

Big cat were first, because they need to eat a lot of fresh meat. They would starve compared to herbivores.

 

[FoxyDee]

Big cat were first, because they need to eat a lot of fresh meat. They would starve compared to herbivores.

They werent the first, they were the only ones.

 

[Michael77]

Today at work (I work at a Zoo) we had a conference call with an administrator of the Kiev Zoo who until recently was in the city of Kiev tending to evacuations of the animals being kept there and has since moved temporarily at least to the city of Lviv. His mission now is trying to secure as much assistance as possible for the Kiev Zoo, its eventual reconstruction efforts and lives of animals that can be saved. I know that my zoo will be donating to their cause and at least another two large zoos in the west coast of the United States will be helping as well. Hopefully more zoos join soon.

I live so many thousands of miles away from this place, a place I have never visited or know anyone there, but my heart breaks for everyone in this country and the poor animals that are now still stuck in the horrors of war and monstrosities committed by man with hearts of stone. We watched clips of an Elephant that is seriously traumatized by the bombs constantly falling, it was heartbreaking. Other animals looked so sad and scared, I have not cried this much since the passing of a dear family member. How can something like this happen in 2022, after so much that world has endured and now this? I will never understand evil man and their need to hurt and destroy, it makes no sense at all. There was another city called Kharkiv if I'm not mistaken, and they also had a zoo, the bombs actually hit their zoo many of the animals escaped and others never made it out, a lion was killed by artillery fire, and zoo employees there reported that it has been very difficult to manage the animals as their own family members have been killed.

I'm not sure if this will eventually become a larger effort where the general public can join, as of right now it seems to be a joint effort coordinated by zoos all over the world to help Kiev Zoo and ultimately all of the zoos in Ukraine. I know that this post might seem unimportant to some of you, as there is so much loss of human lives and the people of the Ukraine are enduring a hell like no other, but I think that those of you who have worked with animals before and especially those who work in zoos will understand where I'm coming from, because there is not much being talked about the animals but they are suffering too.

It is kind of hard to take my mind of all the horrors I have seen today, I keep on thinking about all these people and the animals, may god help them.

I'm with you. Unfortunately, it is usually the most innocent of the innocent who have to suffer from a war. Unfortunately, people often become puppets of evil and lose all orientation.

 

[Ozric]

I am going to gently remind this thread that discussing politics is not allowed on the forums. No lines have been crossed yet, but make sure you don't please.

 

[Michael77]

I am going to gently remind this thread that discussing politics is not allowed on the forums. No lines have been crossed yet, but make sure you don't please.

You are right! Sorry! Thank you for the Information.

 

[Doran]

They werent the first, they were the only ones.

They couldnt take more. I dont know about help from other countries, but Zoo Poznan currently evacuated:
First:

• 2 caracals
• 1 african painted dog
• 6 tigers
• 9 lions
• 1 capuchin

Now they are going next for european wildcats and lynxes and whatever will be enough healthy to survive.
Rescued animals actually came from animal shelter in Chubyns'ke (dont know how to write it properly). Decision was made between the owners what should be saved first. Zoo Poznan also sent food, medical treatments and supplies to Ukraine for animals, which are forced to stay.

,,Natalia Popova, who runs the sanctuary, was forced to select those animals from among the 80 under her care that had the best chance of surviving the journey.
Some animals have food reserves for months. The biggest concern were the large predators.
Tigers eat on average several kilos of meat a day. Popova had a supply for 10 days.,,

We should be glad Zoo Poznan is enough crazy to transport animals through battlefield. Convoy was literally shelled and stopped by tanks at one point. If any other
facility was actively involved in transporting animals, more would be rescued from Ukraine.

Also if im not mistaken Zoo Kiev is separated from everyone and animals cant be transported. They have food supplies for month. Since carnivores require fresh meat, at some point they will feed them with least valuable animals: petting zoo and hoofstock. Its cruel, but some species always will take priority.
There is also zoo in Kharkiv @AmyEvans probably was talking about. Its called Feldman EcoPark. It was hitted by bunch of missles. We dont know about injured animals, but 3 deers died by direct hit. Racoon, monkeys and porcupine escaped, but still got quickly found. Moose and deers were freed, so they could escape somehow. Dholes on the other hand are running around the city. Also looks like keepers are ready to die with their animals. they dont want to shoot them and escape. Unfortunately Zoo is to is too far away to help them, it's now matter of time.

 

[Swjosdotschka]

I've been deliberately avoiding news of Kiev Zoo. It breaks my heart. There were similar things going on in Baghdad during their wars, too. Nothing worse than feeling helpless.

I wish zoos were considered 'sacred', like churches, places to be avoided in the event of battle.

They bombed a kindergarden right at the start. No "rule" can ever save civilians, let alone animals.

To those who can: Several zoos, including Berlin, are collecting donations for Kyiv Zoo. I donated. Maybe you can to.

(On a side note: By using the ukrainian transliteration Kyiv and not the russian transliteration Kiev you can also show your support. Of course it's not rude to use the russian one, but I thought this little detail might be interesting to those who want to show as much as possible that they stand with the brave people of ukraine, who have their own culture, language and democracy.

 

[Dukemon]

To those who can: Several zoos, including Berlin, are collecting donations for Kyiv Zoo. I donated. Maybe you can to.

Would not it make more sense, when western Zoos would try to take over animals that cannot be freed? European Animals have alot more chance to survive in freedom, but an elephant, zebra or Koala are better of in Zoos.

 

[Swjosdotschka]

Would not it make more sense, when western Zoos would try to take over animals that cannot be freed? European Animals have alot more chance to survive in freedom, but an elephant, zebra or Koala are better of in Zoos.

Errrm... did you quote the wrong person? Because I have absolutely no idea what my quote has to do with it, nor do I know if there are even any animals in Kyiv zoo that are regional.

 

[Spiderhawk]

I sow a video on NowThis reporting the Ukraine zoos. It showed the cats and a few others that were evacuated. The end of the video suggested a lot of animals cannot be moved due limited veterinary supplies implying they need more to guarantee safe extraction.
it makes me very sad knowing there’s dog sanctuary’s and zoos that are stranded. I commend the keepers and volunteers for staying there.
I just hope we can put together a large convoy with medical supplies, volunteer vets and trucks that could get animals relocated and in time return them.

 

[Swjosdotschka]

Wanted to share some good news with you: I got an email from Tierpark Berlin the other day. 80.000 € have already been collected for the kyiv zoo. But the money won't go only to Kyiv, but also to Odesa and Charkiv. They still need more, obviously, but the zoos in the ukrain definately are not forgotten.

 

[rootsrat]

Being Polish I read a lot of comments on the support groups. You may have heard about how Polish people opened their hearts, homes and wallets to help those affected by the war.

I can tell you that this help does indeed expand to animals as well. Shelters are stepping up, people are taking multiple animals into their homes and many more things like that are happening.

Specialistic transport boxes are provided, food, vet appointments for free etc etc etc.

It's great to see these amazing things in all of the horror.

P.s. I went to have a look in the one of the biggest groups and this was literally the 2nd newest post Plea for help to transport 60 cats over the border. Already 4 people offered help. The post was made 12 minutes ago.

 

[peafowl]

Being Polish I read a lot of comments on the support groups. You may have heard about how Polish people opened their hearts, homes and wallets to help those affected by the war.

I can tell you that this help does indeed expand to animals as well. Shelters are stepping up, people are taking multiple animals into their homes and many more things like that are happening.

Specialistic transport boxes are provided, food, vet appointments for free etc etc etc.

It's great to see these amazing things in all of the horror.

P.s. I went to have a look in the one of the biggest groups and this was literally the 2nd newest post Plea for help to transport 60 cats over the border. Already 4 people offered help. The post was made 12 minutes ago.

View attachment 295861

That's awesome. I hope theres a lot of people and pets that can get reunited.

 

[Roxxsmom]

I've been heartened by the images of people who are taking their animals with them as they flee. It must be a great comfort to the refugees who could have this companionship.Not so very long ago it went without saying that animals would be abandoned, even deliberately killed, when there was a disaster (whether human caused or natural) and disaster shelters didn't allow people to have pets with them.

Now, many countries are allowing refugees to bring their animals in. But animals run off, get separated from their humans, or it's more than some families can manage to take their pets. It breaks my heart to think of the stray animals, terrified, hungry, and separated from their humans. And I know how heartbroken I would be to lose my animal companions.

Plus, larger animals, especially wild ones, pose special problems. I'm glad to see someone is thinking of these poor zoo animals, but much remains to be done. Once we take them from the wild, I believe we are especially responsible to them. Thanks for the information about zoos that are helping and collecting donations. I found this bit of information about a fundraiser run by the Tallinn Zoo of Estonia.

Tallinn Zoo launches fundraising for Ukrainian zoos

Tallinn Zoo is one of the many zoos in the world that is collecting donations to help the staff and animals of Ukrainian zoos affected by war. Donations from people living in Estonia will be passed on in full to Ukrainian aquaria and zoos through European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)...

www.tallinn.ee