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| 07 Apr 2022
A group of big cats which were to be euthanised over fears Russian bombing would set them loose in the city of Kharkiv have been saved after an evacuation to take them to other zoos was organised.
The Feldman Ecopark was set to put down its big cats following a direct hit to the zoo by Russian shelling. But donations from around the world and the courage of zoo employees mean that the animals have been spared.
Footage shared on Twitter shows the caged animals in preparation for their departure.
"The process has begun and continues successfully," said a statement from the zoo. "Today, our team in a fairly wide composition broke through to the territory of the Ecopark. And although there was shelling again, this did not prevent us from evacuating five lions and some other animals. A lion and lionesses today, two young lions, a jaguar and a panther yesterday - the rescue of our large carnivores is proceeding at a good pace. Thank you to our team working boldly here in the grey zone. Thanks to everyone who responded and agreed to shelter our animals, thanks to the people who help us with technology, equipment, and finances. We were not left alone with our problem, we just feel great support - and we will do everything so that the animals are saved and find a new home. Hopefully, temporarily - until our victory and the restoration of the Ecopark."
The zoo - the oldest in Ukraine - was home to more than 6,000 animals. The zoo's founder, Oleksandr Feldman, revealed this week that most of the zoo and many of its animals had been destroyed by shelling.
"There is no more Ecopark. After yesterday's shelling, I can say that the park has been almost completely destroyed.
"Animal cages have been destroyed, all the infrastructure has been destroyed, but tigers and lions have miraculously survived. Their cages have been badly damaged, and they can go outside at any moment."
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