The Feldman Ecopark zoo in Kharkiv, Ukraine, may have to put down all of its large animals, including tigers, lions, and bears, fearing that one more Russian shelling will set the animals loose into the Kharkiv area.
“Yesterday and today [the zoo] was again subjected to massive shelling and bombing,” Feldman said. “Infrastructure destroyed, enclosures have been destroyed. The biggest problem is large predators.”
Feldman added that the animals are distraught with fear amid the Russian bombings and would endanger nearby villages. In a video posted to Facebook, Feldman said the tigers and lions could escape their cages at any moment.“We cannot allow that to happen,” Feldman wrote, adding that he is trying to find temporary housing for the animals. “If that doesn’t work, then the only option we have left is to euthanize predators. It is incredibly painful to talk about this.”The zoo is working to evacuate all of its surviving animals but said the main priority is to consider people’s safety.