Dr Amir with food delivery

A second delivery of 20 tonnes of food for zoo animals in Ukraine

FOUR PAWS partners with Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) to provide relief for war-torn zoos 

3.5.2022

London, 3 May 2022 –FOUR PAWS is once again providing urgently needed relief for zoos in Ukraine that have been affected by the ongoing war.

The Austrian-based global animal welfare organisation has delivered another 20 tonnes of food. Not only will the delivery save animals trapped in the conflict from starvation, it will also  support the remaining staff at the zoos faithfully caring for them.

This food has been delivered in partnership with the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), who transported the supplies to Kyiv via Hungary. An ÖBB train left Vienna on 29th April to deliver the food to the Hungarian-Ukrainian border. From there, trucks will  deliver the goods to Kyiv Zoo, which will distribute the supplies to six other zoos in the region.

The war in Ukraine continues without an end in sight. Ukrainian people and their animals are still suffering in the horror of the conflict.

At the beginning of April, a zoo in Kharkiv was heavily damaged by shelling. Many animals have been left suffering from stress caused by the noise of the explosions and fighting.

In March, FOUR PAWS was contacted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources in Ukraine and requested to contribute to help deliver food to affected zoos in the country. To provide some relief for the zoo animals during these challenging times, FOUR PAWS sent 10 tonnes of pellet food and dry hay each for zoo animals, such as elephants, primates, grazers, and birds, to Kyiv Zoo. The zoo will store the food and then distribute it further to Kharkiv Zoo, Mykolayiv Zoo, Cherkassy Zoo, Odessa Zoo, Mena Zoo, and XII Months Zoo.

“There is a lack of everything right now, from food and medication to caretakers. 

Some zoos have been cut off from infrastructure and are not receiving supply and meat deliveries anymore. Therefore, we want to do everything we can at this stage to support the zoos affected by the war so the brave staff can stay on-site and can continue to care for the animals. The animals did not choose to be there. 

They are trapped. They are vulnerable and  and we need to protect them. We are very grateful to ÖBB for their support with this urgently needed supply delivery.” 

Dr Amir Khalil, FOUR PAWS veterinarian and supplies and transport coordination lead

“We are very happy to support FOUR PAWS with the delivery of the food for the animals in Ukraine. 

The Rail Cargo Group is ready for any kind of help related to what we do best - transport and logistic services. This way, donations – in this case food for zoo animals in Ukraine – can reach their destination safely and reliably.” 

Bernd Winter, ÖBB spokesperson 

In early April, FOUR PAWS already sent a delivery of nearly 20 tonnes of pellet food and dry hay for wild animals to Kyiv Zoo.

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Head of Communications UK: Hannah Baker

Hannah Baker

Head of Communications UK

Hannah.Baker@four-paws.org

020 7922 7954

07966 032 235

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