FactualClosed the day after the Russian offensive in Ukraine, the park, which houses 3,300 animals of 420 different species, was targeted twice.
News of the war also reaches the animals in Mykolaiv Zoo. In the form of Ouragan rockets fired by the Russian army. Twice, on March 7 and 12, these huge machines 220 millimeters in diameter crashed into the ground of the second zoo in Ukraine. The first time, a few meters from the lion’s den; the second, right in the middle of an aviary.
“The shelling happened during the night. The animals were extremely agitated but luckily none of them were hurt, says Volodymyr Toptchy, 67, director of the park for twenty years. On the other hand, several deer injured their cheeks and jaws because, panicked and trying to flee in the dark, they threw themselves on the railings. »
Employees must now carefully inspect the damage caused by projectiles. “If branches fall into the pit of felines or bears, they could immediately use them to escape”, remarks Yury Kyrychenko, the deputy director.
A rocket engine has found its way into the zoo museum, where it takes up almost the entire width of the room, alongside a stuffed snake. Part of a Ouragan’s fuselage remains planted at an 80° angle in the aviary, under the gaping hole drilled in the net. “We don’t know if the submunitions exploded or not, so we have to wait for the sappers to come and extract the device,” explains Mr. Topchy.
The Nazi army in 1941
The director speaks with pride of his zoo and repeats that he will not leave it under any circumstances, even under bombardment, even in the event of a siege. A historical example presents itself to him. In 1941, the then director, Feodor Nitchykov, remained in his post despite the rapid advance of the Nazi army. “This is the second time that the fascists have attacked this zoo, he concludes. I never imagined finding myself in the same situation as my illustrious predecessor. »
There is only one road left, the one leading to Odessa, to evacuate Mykolaiv, 450,000 inhabitants before the war. “It is not possible to evacuate 3,300 animals of 420 different species. We therefore strive to protect them and continue to take care of them despite the very difficult conditions. » There has been no revenue since the second day of the war, February 25, when the zoo was closed to the public. Half of the 230 employees fled the city or found themselves in an area occupied by Russian forces. Seven employees took up arms.
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