The Ukraine-Russia conflict has impacted the lives of humans and animals. There is a lack of supply of steady electricity, food and medication. Animal welfare organisations are struggling to provide ongoing care to the abandoned animals.
During these trying times, one zoo in Ukraine – Limpopo Zoo – is struggling to meet the food and shelter needs of its 800 animals. There is no constant supply of electricity, drop in number of visitors, and scarcity of resources. The staff from the zoo talk about the struggles they have to face on a daily basis.
The Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation team went to Ukraine in 2022 to provide support to abandoned and injured animals in Ukraine. This interview is one of many from the Ukraine visit.
Tell us about your zoo, the Limpopo Zoo in Ukraine, and the current situation.
We started the zoo in 2018. It is in Oblast, Ukraine.
We suffered from war, not the bombs, but from the number of visitors to our zoo. Also, we are facing trouble in providing warmth for some animals.
How has the situation impacted the visiting tourists?
It is maybe only 20% of what we got last year (2021). So, we lost about 80% of our visitors last year because of the war.
With the reduction in tourists, how is the zoo managing the expenses?
We have lost a lot of our funds. So, we are currently using our savings. Also, some people from Ukraine help us, people from Poland help us, from the Association of Zoos in Europe, and the 20% visitors.
But, we have stopped the project for new buildings... for the new part of the zoo. Instead, all this money goes to the zoo and the workers, for their payment.
So, all the money that we had… the savings for expansion is now funding the zoo. Like buying corn, wheat, and meat for the animals.
How much longer will your savings last?
We guess for this winter (a couple of months).
How many animals do you have here approximately?
Nearly 800 animals. We have the biggest collection of cats (lions, tigers, lynxes, and leopards) in Ukraine. So, we need a lot of meat. We also have flamingos, pelicans, and freshwater fish. All of them need food. Also, we keep the animals warm with wood and electricity. But now both wood and electricity are very expensive.
… and we don’t know what will happen later. Even in the next week… we don’t know what the situation will be.
How will a generator help?
If something goes wrong, we don’t have any backup to keep the animals warm. We don’t have electricity from the main station. The animals will freeze without a backup generator. The heaters used by animals need constant electricity, without electricity, the heaters will explode. A generator will provide a constant supply of electricity.
How much a generator would cost?
About 2000 Euros.
If you are able to help, visit the zoo's website.
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