In Ukraine, it is legal for private citizens to keep wild animals.
Since the war with Russia began, wild animals including tigers, lions, bears and wolves have been abandoned and are roaming free. They are scared and hungry, says Animal Survival International.
The organization works to help wildlife around the world whose survival is threatened by climate change, habitat destruction, the illegal wildlife trade, poor legislation and inadequate law enforcement.
ASI is working with a partner agency, the Wild Animal Rescue Center (WARC) in Ukraine, to rescue wild animals – risking their lives on every rescue mission.
Credit: ASI/Dejan-Radic
It is a huge task, and WARC responds within minutes of receiving calls for help. From lions and bears to beavers and small rodents, our partner team is there, providing life-saving medical care and temporary shelter for animals that would likely be shot on sight by advancing enemy soldiers.
The rescued animals often arrive at WARC’s rescue center traumatized, injured, starving, or nothing more than skin and bone.
When it comes to larger animals like tigers and bears, the team must not only navigate the hazards of the war zone, but must wrangle scared, dangerous wild animals who do not understand the nightmare they have found themselves in.