Photo: Emilio Morenatti/AP/Shutterstock
As Russia’sattack on Ukrainecontinues, the Kyiv Zoo is focused on keeping the animals stuck at the closed zoo safe and comfortable.
Russian forces launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 — the first major land conflict in Europe in decades — which reportedly includedairstrikes and bombings in the country’s capital city of Kyiv, where the Kyiv Zoo is located.
On Feb. 24, the Kyiv Zoo closed to visitors due to the declaration of martial law,according to the facility’s Facebook posttranslated from Ukrainian to English. Even with the zoo closed, a staff of about 50 people has remained at the park, even at night, to provide the animal residents with consistent care, the zoo’s director shared in a Feb. 26 updateon the zoo’s website.
The update, translated from Ukrainian to English, added that the attacks on Kyiv are causing the animals great stress and that many of the zoo’s residents have moved into underground galleries and indoor enclosures for their safety. Veterinarians are reportedly on hand around the clock to comfort the animals and provide treatment when needed.
The zoo director also noted in the update that the zoo is equipped with the resources it needs for the next ten days and that the Kyiv Zoo is grateful for the supportive messages it has received from fans.
The following day, the zoo shared more news, posting on their website that the animals continue to receive around-the-clock care and are in good condition, making a point to note that Tony the gorilla —the only zoo gorilla in Ukraine— is safe and doing well.
The latest update the Kyiv Zoo provided came on Mar. 2 when the zooposted on Facebookthat they do not currently require outside help from citizens and that all reliable information about the zoo’s animals will come from the Kyiv Zoo Facebook page.
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With NATO forces massing in the region around Ukraine, various countries have also pledged aid or military support to the resistance. Ukraine PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyycalled for peace talks — so far unsuccessful — while urging his country to fight back.
Putin insists Ukraine has historic ties to Russia and he is acting in the best security interests of his country. Zelenskyy vowed not to bend.“Nobody is going to break us, we’re strong, we’re Ukrainians,“he told the European Unionin a speech in the early days of the fighting, adding, “Life will win over death. And light will win over darkness.”
source: people.com
