Ukraine Zoo Animals Continue to Suffer from the War

As Russian forces continue to advance into Kyiv more than 4000 animals are still trapped in the Ukraine national zoo. "The devastation caused by some of these rocket attacks, that open environment full of glass, concrete and metal is dangerous to people but also to animals," James Sawyer, UK director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Millions of animal lovers from around the world started to worry about the safety and well-being of these animals. Activists such as Natalia Popova said she feared all captive animals in the city would “either die from bombs or starvation,” according to the outlet. The bombing had heavily affected the health of the 4000 animals currently trapped in the zoo. “Animals are terrified by the loud sounds of explosions, but our vets are constantly monitoring their condition,” the zoo wrote on Facebook. Despite the fierce fighting between Russia and Ukraine, NGOs such as PETA and RSPCA are now hosting fundraising events in order to send necessary food donations and vets to secure the wellbeing of these animals. There are reports that the vehicles transporting these animals were flagged down by the Russian army as they tried to leave Donbas, Ukraine. As the truck set off from Donbas towards the Polish zoo, Poznań the transportation manager said he had almost lost hope after finding out the truck had been surrounded by Russian tanks. However, it eventually managed to make its way past the checkpoint. According to Reuters, Chodyła, a manager, said that the truck had to turn back many times in order to avoid blowing up roads full of holes that were "impossible to pass." Newsweek, a European public news company says that Now, the zoo said the tigers are resting after their "travel difficulties." They have recently undergone veterinary tests and will remain in isolation for a few days. A few of them will eventually be transferred to other facilities in Western Europe, and some will stay in Poznań.”