Zoos and Wildlife Rescue in Ukraine: Emergency Operations During Wartime

Ukraine's zoological community — staff, curators, and directors of the country's roughly twenty public zoos and numerous wildlife rescue centers — found themselves conducting animal care operations under conditions no professional training had prepared them for. Artillery bombardment, flooding from dam destruction, occupation, displacement of staff, and collapse of supply chains for specialized animal feed and veterinary medicines all created acute challenges. Yet Ukrainian zoo workers overwhelmingly remained at their posts, and the international zoo community mobilized to provide practical and financial support, creating one of the more remarkable cross-border cooperation stories of the humanitarian response.

Mykolaiv Zoo: Operation Under Siege

Mykolaiv Zoo, situated in a city subject to intensive Russian artillery bombardment throughout 2022–2023, became internationally known through the sustained media coverage of its director Volodymyr Topchyi and his staff. The zoo sustained multiple direct and indirect hits from artillery strikes, destroying or damaging enclosures, injuring and killing animals, destroying food storage and preparation facilities, and creating dangerous conditions for the staff who remained. Despite evacuation orders issued to the general population, zoo employees refused to leave animals who could not be safely transported under fire. International coverage drove a massive fundraising response: European and North American zoos, animal welfare organizations, and individual donors contributed millions of dollars in funds and in-kind supplies. Zoo director Topchyi received international recognition for his dedication under extraordinary conditions.

Kakhovka Dam Flood: Kherson Zoo Emergency

International Zoo Cooperation Framework

The international zoo community mobilized rapidly and systematically when the scale of Ukraine's zoo crisis became clear. The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) coordinated emergency responses through its member institutions, organizing: financial donations channeled through verified Ukrainian zoo partners; in-kind donations of specialized animal feed (particularly difficult-to-source items like frozen fish for seals, specialized insectivore foods, and large carnivore meat); veterinary medicine donations; and arrangements for temporary or permanent relocation of specific animals to European partner zoos. The EAZA emergency fund disbursed several hundred thousand euros to Ukrainian zoos during the peak crisis period of 2022–2024. Individual zoos in Poland (Warsaw, Wroclaw, Krakow), Germany, Austria, France, and elsewhere accepted Ukrainian animal transfers under emergency CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) provisions that streamlined cross-border transfer documentation for wildlife displaced by conflict.

Wildlife Rescue Centers and Wild Animal Victims

Beyond zoos, Ukraine maintains a network of wildlife rescue centers that care for injured wild animals — raptors, foxes, deer, and other native species that come through veterinary triage. These centers, many operated by NGOs, faced the same challenges as zoos: funding shortfalls, staff displacement, and logistical problems obtaining veterinary supplies. Wild animal populations themselves were significantly disrupted by the war. The Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts — rich in wildlife including nationally significant populations of European wild horses (Przewalski's horses in Askania-Nova nature reserve), deer, foxes, wolves, and varied birdlife — experienced both direct casualties from artillery and landmines and habitat disruption from fires, flooding (after the Kakhovka dam), and large-scale military activity. The Askania-Nova biosphere reserve, one of Ukraine's most important nature areas, faced significant challenges including partial occupation by Russian forces in 2022 before eventual Ukrainian control was restored.

Post-Flood Wildlife Ecological Impact

The Kakhovka dam destruction in June 2023 created what ecologists described as one of the largest ecological disasters in European history, as 2,000+ square kilometers of river floodplain was inundated with floodwaters contaminated by industrial chemicals, sewage, fuel from flooded infrastructure, and agricultural runoff. The flood killed vast numbers of fish, disrupted the Dnipro River delta ecosystem, damaged nesting habitat for migratory birds, and forced many land animals to migrate away from traditional ranges. Recovery of the Lower Dnipro ecosystem after flooding will take years or decades, and ongoing contamination from landmines, military waste, and industrial pollutants complicates wildlife recovery. International environmental organizations began long-term monitoring programs to document the ecological impact for future remediation planning.

FAQ

What is EAZA and how did it help Ukrainian zoos?

The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) is the professional association representing European zoos and aquariums. It coordinated emergency financial aid, in-kind donations of feed and veterinary supplies, and temporary animal relocation arrangements for Ukrainian member zoos affected by the war.

Were endangered animals evacuated from Ukrainian zoos?

Yes. Rare and endangered animals including species from the CITES protected list were transferred from Ukrainian zoos to European partner institutions under emergency transfer protocols. Partner zoos provided temporary care for animals assessed as being at significant risk in their Ukrainian facilities.

What happened to Askania-Nova nature reserve during the war?

Askania-Nova biosphere reserve — home to important Przewalski's horse herds and unique steppe ecosystem — was partially occupied by Russian forces in 2022. After restoration of Ukrainian administrative control, assessment missions documented damage and implemented recovery programs.

How did the Kakhovka dam destruction affect wildlife?

The dam's destruction in June 2023 flooded over 2,000 square kilometers, killing large numbers of fish, disrupting bird nesting habitat, forcing land animal migration, and contaminating floodplains with industrial pollutants and sewage. Recovery of the Lower Dnipro ecosystem is expected to take years.

Did Ukrainian zoo staff leave their animals during heavy shelling?

In notable cases — particularly at Mykolaiv Zoo — staff remained with their animals through heavy bombardment, refusing to evacuate and leave animals unable to be safely transported. This dedication attracted international media coverage and significant donor support.

Sources

1. EAZA. Ukraine Emergency Response: Member Coordination. eaza.net
2. Mykolaiv Zoo. Operational Reports During Active Hostilities.
3. UNEP Ukraine. Kakhovka Dam Ecological Impact Assessment. unep.org
4. WWF Ukraine. Wildlife Casualties and Habitat Disruption. wwf.org.ua
5. CITES Secretariat. Emergency Wildlife Transfer Protocols. cites.org