Saving the ‘Russian’ animals

FOLLOWING in the footsteps of the late Zululand conservationist Lawrence Anthony, an extraordinary animal rescue mission has been launched to save more than 6 000 Ukraine zoo animals from starvation.

Just as Lawrence embarked on a selfless animal rescue mission at the Baghdad Zoo, at the onset of the Iraqi war, an entrepreneurial animal-loving, bush war veteran from South Africa, now Ukraine resident, Lionel de Lange, is following suit.

Taking on the unique cause with the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation (LAEO), De Lange is helping zoos in dire straits as government funding for food has dried up, leaving animals to starve if aid is not provided.

This has been brought on by the economic and political strife in the region. While international governments are calling for support for the nation’s failing economy, thousands of Russian soldiers are amassing along the border. This is causing fear and speculation among some of the Ukrainian population that Russia will move to take over even more of the region than their current annexation of the Crimea.

After receiving several pleading calls from individuals about the plight of zoo animals, LAEO’s International President, Barbara Wiseman, was contacted by de Lange.

She then appointed him as Director of a newly formed Ukrainian Chapter dedicated to the zoo crisis.

‘We want to make sure that not one animal perishes in the present crisis. For those familiar with what Dr Anthony had to deal with in Baghdad, you know how quickly things can worsen. In just nine days before he arrived, that zoo went from 600 animals down to 35.

‘Most died from starvation and dehydration. We are asking you to help us ensure that none of these animals die on our watch,’ Wiseman said in an emergency meeting with LAEO staff and volunteers.

Rescue

LAEO’s first rescue target is Ukraine’s 114-year-old Nikolaev Zoo which has survived two world wars.

It currently houses 5 735 animals, including big cats, wolves, bears, bison, fox, monkeys, crocodiles, boas, deer, and a wide variety of birds and fish.

‘Just in the past couple of days since we began getting the word out to our members and supporters, people are beginning to step up and donate to ensure none of these animals unnecessarily suffer or perish,’ said Wiseman.

LAEO told the Zululand Observer on Tuesday that the animals were in a good condition after the organisation managed to raise enough money to feed them and spent $3300 for medicine. However, food for about 50 lions in Crimea is reportedly running out.

For more information, check out www.LAEOUkraine.org.