Ukrainian Zookeepers Forced to Consider Euthanasia for Large Predators While Under Invasion from Russia
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has already brought devastating loss, but it has also created a grim problem few people expected to see: what happens to the animals trapped inside a war zone?
At Feldman Ecopark in Kharkiv, keepers have been racing to move lions, tigers, bears, and other large predators to safety after shelling damaged enclosures and left the zoo facing impossible choices. With transport limited and the danger still active, the team has had to weigh evacuation against the possibility of euthanasia if the animals cannot be relocated in time.
The situation keeps changing fast, and the latest updates from Ecopark show just how desperate, and how determined, the rescue effort has become.
Lionesses at Ecopark Before the Russian Invasion
While there are plenty of facilities that would be able to take on these animals, the issue was the logistics of getting them out of Kharkiv. Feldman reported, “Such an operation requires the presence of special transport and the participation of a fairly large number of people.”
Feldman grimly reminded those outside the park that with many people gathering together, they all risk attracting the attention of Russian troops, “who, as a rule, respond to activity on the territory of the Ecopark with shelling.”
Pictures from Recent Shelling, Alarmingly Close to Damaging the Lion Enclosure
The entire situation was becoming increasingly dire for the large predators of Feldman Ecopark as shelling continued. Feldman sadly shared the heartbreaking consequences if they couldn’t arrange these transports.
“The only option left to us is to put the predators to sleep. It is unimaginably painful to talk about this, but the main priority now is the lives of people.”
Video from Ecopark's Facebook Showing and Explaining How the Russian Shelling Is Putting Their Animals in Danger
This video shows the last "arrivals" to the enclosures of large predators: as you can see, a little more and the lions could be outside the enclosure. We emphasize that the euthanasia of animals is an extreme measure, which we very much hope will not come to pass. Now we are negotiating with a large number of people and organizations, in particular, with those who can accept our animals in Ukraine and abroad. But the main problem lies elsewhere: how to get tigers, lions, bears, and other large animals out of the "grey zone." Such an operation requires the presence of special transport and the participation of a fairly large number of people, which, with a high degree of probability, will attract the attention of the enemy, who, as a rule, responds to activity on the territory of the Ecopark with shelling. Now this is the most important thing: how to organize, if at all possible, the safest possible removal of predators.
That is the kind of decision no zoo should ever have to make.
One of the Six Tigers That Live in Ecopark
```htmlAmazingly, Feldman’s dire report inspired a worldwide response, bringing hope to what once seemed hopeless.
In one of Dr. Ramani Durvasula's updates, she stated, “In times of crisis, community support can be a powerful source of resilience and hope. The outpouring of help from various cities and countries is a testament to our shared humanity and compassion.”
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Poor Cheetah Was Scared and Confused, but Safely Transported Shortly Before Shelling Damaged Their Enclosure
These cheetahs are very lucky: they had been taken out just before the massive shelling of the Ecopark during which their aviary was destroyed. Had this happened a bit later, they could have died or found themselves free, which would not bode well for them or for the people who could encounter the animals. Now they are doing well; they have begun to settle in their temporary dwelling near Poltava. We wish for such a happy ending for the maximum number of stories of salvation from the war and shelling of our animals, so that we can continue to work on their evacuation from the “grey zone.” Thanks to the support of our numerous friends, the issue of placing the animals in zoos and other suitable locations for their housing in different regions of Ukraine is being resolved.
This Gorgeous Lion Waits on a Truck to Be Moved to a Safer Area
The evacuations of all the animals at Ecopark continue, despite the dangerous conditions. More than eighty animals have been safely relocated since Feldman spoke of the possibility of euthanizing their predators.
Check Out the Video of the Folks at Ecopark Moving Lions to Safety
Transporting lions is not an easy task, especially when animals have been under stress from shelling for more than a month and, in general, from the fact that their calm and measured lives have changed dramatically. But we coped with this; the main thing is that we safely left the shelling zone and neither people nor animals were injured.
We received a lot of suggestions about where they can be settled - many thanks to all colleagues and friends for their help and understanding! There are still many animals on the territory of the Ecopark; everyone who is ready to financially support their further evacuation can do so here: https://feldman-ecopark.com/en/donation/
More animals are still waiting for their turn.
And if you think evacuating animals is scary, watch Texas zookeepers trapped inside a gorilla enclosure.
The Team Behind the Hard Work Moving These Dangerous Animals
Those Behind the Social Media Page Continue to Update the World on Their Efforts to Relocate Their Animals to Safety
The process has begun and continues successfully! Today, our team, in a fairly large 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, and 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 to ensure that the animals are saved and find a new home.
Hopefully, temporarily - until our victory and the restoration of the Ecopark.
For now, every successful evacuation is a small relief in the middle of a much bigger crisis.
Those at Feldman Ecopark couldn’t be more grateful for the overwhelming response that has helped their team and volunteers give these amazing creatures a chance to live.
“Thanks to everyone who responded and agreed to shelter our animals, and 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 to ensure that the animals are saved and find a new home.”
If you wish to donate to help with the continued relocation and care of these animals, visit Feldman Ecopark’s donation page. Share this story to continue to get their message out for more help.
Now the race is on to save the rest before the next strike changes everything.
Before the lions, Aalborg Zoo asked for “healthy” unwanted pets to feed predators, read what happened next. Teenager’s pony after the zoo’s unusual request.
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