Ukrainian Zoo considers euthanasia of large animals, such as lions and tigers, after Russian shelling destroyed enclosures

The zoo in Harvo (Ukraine) says there may be euthanasia of some animals after Russian shelling destroyed cages. Feldman Ecopark is trying to relocate the animals, but if that option doesn’t work, some animals, such as lions and tigers, will have to be put to sleep.

“Feldman Ecopark no longer exists,” said zoo founder Alexander Feldman in a video message. The zoo was bombed, which virtually destroyed it, he said in a video posted on Facebook.

Animal enclosures were badly damaged, and Feldman warned that some animals could go outside. While the bears were in poor condition, “pure miracles tigers and lions are alive,” he said.

“Today we decide … we have time until the evening to plant them all or move them somewhere,” Feldman said. The zoo team was working in Chutov, trying to find a way to rescue the animals, he said. “We may be rescuing jaguar cubs, small panthers, but all adult animals are likely to be eliminated,” Feldman said.

The caption to the video says that zoo experts are considering equipping some animals with temporary housing in Chutov, Poltava region of Ukraine. “If that doesn’t work out, we have only one option left – to put predators to sleep. It’s incredibly painful to talk about it, but the main priority now is people’s lives,” the signature reads.

In another statement on the Feldman Ecopark website, the zoo said the lions nearly found themselves outside the enclosure after the recent shelling. “We emphasize that the euthanasia of animals is an extreme measure, which we very much hope will not happen,” – said in a statement. “We are currently negotiating with many people and organizations, particularly those who can take our animals in Ukraine and abroad.”

However, there is the question of how to move large animals. “Such an operation requires special vehicles and a large number of people. Which is likely to attract the attention of the enemy, who usually reacts to activities in the territory of the AG. An ecopark with shelling, ”the message reads.

CBS News has approached Feldman Ecopark for comment and is awaiting a response.

On March 4, about two weeks after Russia launched the invasion, zoo officials said officers were able to visit chimpanzees and orangutans for the first time since the war began. The monkey sheltered the Kharkiv Zoo.

On Tuesday, the zoo managed to transport from Kharkov the only family of tapirs in Ukraine – herbivores with short torsos – and some other exotic animals. They are in a temporary house in the Poltava region, according to Reuters.