Volunteers Continue to Risk Their Lives to Save Animals Amid Ongoing War in Ukraine

Volunteers in Ukraine have been risking their lives to save and rescue abandoned animals amid the ongoing war. It has now been nearly one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but volunteers have not given up helping abandoned animals.

Source: UATV English/YouTube

The Yampil Zoo in the eastern Donetsk region was liberated by Ukrainian forces on September 30 after five months of Russian occupation. When rescue workers arrived back at the zoo 10 days later, they reported that they found animal skeletons and pieces of flesh and bones scattered across the zoo.

Volunteers reported that Russian soldiers were allegedly so hungry that they resorted to eating zoo animals at the Yampil Zoo in Ukraine. Volunteer rescue workers reported that the soldiers killed and ate two camels, a kangaroo, a bison, some piglets, birds, and wolves.

They did find one animal that was fighting for their life. The bear was in horrible condition, and volunteers worked hard to save the bear. Olena Bila, a volunteer who came to the bear’s rescue in late September, said that if they came just five days later, the bear would not have survived. When she arrived, she found the bear in a tiny cage and drowning in his excrement. The bear was thin and had a concussion from a shell that had exploded near his cage. Luckily, they got the bear out safely, and now the animal lives in better conditions at a zoo in Poland.

Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, millions of people have now fled, many with their beloved pets in their arms. The unpredictability of the devastating war has forced many Ukrainians to make tough choices about what to take with them. Many don’t know when and if they will be able to return home. There have been many donations of money and food to these shelters, and animal shelters and zoos are slowly making their way to borders to seek safety, but situations aren’t easy.

So many innocent lives have been lost, countless volunteers are helping to rescue animals all over the country, and many people are staying behind to help feed hundreds of refugees every day. The impact of the Russian invasion has been devastating for the environment and the global food supply and has even caused mass animal deaths like these dolphins in the Black Sea. Activists all around the world are standing for the people of Ukraine and demanding an end to this war. Sign this petition to stand with Ukraine and check out 10 Ways to Help People and Animals in Ukraine!

What can you do to help? Many organizations are helping Ukraine and the families affected by this unjust invasion. Here are 10 Ways to Help People and Animals in Ukraine.

Related Content:

• Petition: Tell the EU and US to Protect and Rescue the Remaining Lions in Ukraine
• Russian Soldiers Accused of Hanging Animals in Trees in Ukraine
• Russian Shelling Has Destroyed Five Million Acres of Forest in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy Reveals
• Russian Soldiers Ate Zoo Animals to Survive, According to Rescue Workers in Ukraine
• Russian Invasion of Ukraine May be Responsible for the Death of up to 50,000 Dolphins in the Black Sea

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take the initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and essential stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!