Dying: A starving lion is hanging its head by an empty feeding station at Kharkiv Zoo, Ukraine
Ukraine’s Kharkiv Zoo dates from the 1890s and, although it managed to survive two world wars, the zoo’s animals are now dying from starvation.
Will Stewart reports for The Daily Mail, March 7, 2014, the zoo’s director Alexey Grigoriev blames Ukraine’s warring politicians for failing to provide funds, saying the zoo only has enough food to last until Monday.
Grigoriev is said to be in tears over the plight of the animals, and has pleaded with the new prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk for help. In a letter to the prime minister, Grigoriev said “The Kharkiv zoo animals on the verge of starvation” because suppliers have been providing food for free for three months but have now refused to provide more.
A local campaigner for the zoo, Olga Sitkovskaya, said: “I spoke to the director and, sorry for this detail, but this clever, strong adult man burst into tears of helplessness. The city allocates funds needed for maintaining the zoo, but Kiev redirects the money to some of its needs. As a result, the animals in the zoo, are in a catastrophic situation.”
A statement by the zoo says:
“Along with the whole country, our zoo is living through difficult and terrifying times. Our animals are not fighting for power, they do not share anyone’s political views, they just want to live. Without emergency measures, our completely innocent animals will start dying next week. By Monday, we will have nothing with which to feed the animals.”
Ukraine is on the point of bankruptcy. Local reports say funds earmarked for the zoo have been sent elsewhere.
Aren’t there any international animal charities that can help the poor animals of the Kharkiv Zoo?
Please help!
~Eowyn