Hundreds of Animals Killed After Dam Attack Floods Ukraine Zoo
Early on in the story of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, one of the most compelling stories for western audiences was the plight of the Kyiv Zoo (as is so often the case, when confronted with widespread human tragedy we seem especially drawn to the plight of animals). Then there were the losses at Feldman Ecopark, shortly after. As the war settles into its second year, another Ukrainian zoo has suffered disaster, this one experiencing almost complete obliteration.
The Kakhovka Dibrova Zoo was a children's zoo in Russian-held Kherson. Like much of the region, it was impacted by the destruction of a major dam, which resulting in severe flooding. Virtually all of the 300 hundreds - mostly domestic animals, but also monkeys, raccoons, porcupines, and other small animals - were lost in the flood. Only the waterfowl appear to have survived, swimming across the flooded grounds. Zoo staff were blocked from being able to evacuate the animals due to mines in the area.
Of course, many human lives and much property was also destroyed in the flood. Many are homeless now, or are separated from loved ones, unsure of their safety. The ecological damage of the flood has also yet to be assessed, but is likely extensive. Sharing an article about this particular aspect of the damage is in no way meant to overshadow the other losses. It just serves as another reminder of how devastating war can be to animals as well as people. Flooding, when it occurs naturally, is just as destructive and horrific, and can lead to equally terrible losses. It just seems worse in these cases, when the cause isn't natural - because you know that it didn't have to happen.
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