Małgorzata Chodyła, a spokeswoman for the Poznań zoo, told the media that the facility housed six tigers, four lionesses, a wolf and three bears rescued from Ukraine, Polish state news agency PAP reported on Monday.
Chodyła added: “Since February 24, our zoo has welcomed many more animals that had to be evacuated from the war-hit country. They also included caracals, polar foxes, a leopard, an African wild dog and a monkey.
"Most of these animals have already been admitted to animal shelters and zoos in other countries, while some of them will remain with us."
'Mutual effort of many people and institutions'
Chodyła said that "it would not be possible to rescue animals from the war if it weren’t for the mutual effort of many people and institutions.”
The Poznań zoo works closely with Natalia Popova, who runs an animal shelter near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, as well as with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the United States-based Wildcat Sanctuary, among other partners, reporters were told.
Plea for donations
Chodyła called on the public to donate various essentials to help the zoo continue to evacuate animals from Ukraine.
These essential supplies include dry dog food, canned meat, blankets, sleeping bags, flashlights, cells, fleece jackets and winter boots, among other items, she said.
Thank-you messages from Ukraine
Chodyła told reporters that Ukrainian officials were "appreciative" of the Poznań zoo’s efforts to "rescue animals from the horrors of war."
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has officially thanked his Poznań counterpart Jacek Jaśkowiak, while Kyrylo Trantin, director of the Kyiv zoo, has issued a letter of gratitude, the PAP news agency reported.
“Poznań Zoo will continue to help Ukrainian animals for as long as necessary and possible,” Chodyła declared.
Tuesday is day 307 of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, rmf24.pl