The bravery of zookeepers who moved in with animals they just couldn’t leave behind: amazing footage shows how 50 employees defied Russian shelling to care for 4,000 inhabitants of a Kiev nature reserve
- About 50 employees, including veterinarians and caretakers, have moved to the zoo to take care of the animals.
- More than 200 species of animals live in the Kiev Zoo, including elephants and hyenas.
- Bird aviary and unfinished aquarium turned into bomb shelters
While many fled Kyiv fleeing Russian shelling, some took refuge in a more unusual place – the zoo.
About 50 employees, including veterinarians, engineers and caretakers, as well as 30 family members moved to take care of 4,000 animals.
The zoo is home to over 200 species of animals, including elephants, hyenas, and the only gorilla in Ukraine, Tony.
While many fled Kyiv to escape Russian shelling, some sought refuge in a more unusual place: the zoo. Pictured: Zoo director Kirill Trantin feeds Horace, a 17-year-old Asian elephant scared of explosions.
Among those under their care is Horace, a 17-year-old Asian elephant who is so frightened by the explosions that a staff member has to sleep in his enclosure every night.
When he wakes up in a panic from loud bangs, his new zookeeper roommate has to chat with him and feed him apples to relax him.
“If a rocket or projectile falls, they know how to calm it down,” said Kirill Trantin, director of the Kiev Zoo.
The aviary and unfinished aquarium have been turned into bomb shelters, but they won’t protect larger animals like giraffes or elephants.
About 50 employees, including veterinarians, engineers and caretakers, as well as 30 family members moved to take care of 4,000 animals. Pictured: Mr. Trantin watching the animals at the zoo.
“They have no place to hide or run,” said Trantin, 49. “Once they leave the zoo, they have fewer options than any human.”
Last week, lions, tigers and bears were evacuated from a nature reserve near Kiev to the Poznan Zoo in Poland. But Kiev Zoo officials say evacuating the animals is next to impossible due to the need for veterinary care and transportation.
Ivan Rybchenko, 33, is one of the goalkeepers who prefer to stay rather than fight.
Kiev Zoo officials say evacuating the animals is nearly impossible due to the need for veterinary care and transportation. In the photo: alpacas in the zoo of Kyiv
“I take care of giraffes, deer and horses,” he said. “So I can’t join the territorial defense because they will just die. I’m afraid that all the animals in the zoo will be killed.”
Employees already keep some of the animals in closed enclosures and underground galleries to protect them from gunfire.
The zebras were moved inside permanently after loud explosions caused them to panic and crash into a fence.
Elephants and other vulnerable species received sedatives.
Mr. Trantin began preparing for the Russian invasion a week before it began, stocking up on food and supplies. The zoo has enough food for the next two weeks.
Mr. Trantin began preparing for the Russian invasion a week before it began, stocking up on food and supplies. The zoo has enough food for the next two weeks
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