Workers who stayed behind at Ukraine zoo to help animals 'shot dead by Russians'

20 April 2022, 09:38 | Updated: 20 April 2022, 10:52

Two zoo keepers who stayed behind in Kharkiv to take care of the animals, have been "shot dead by Russian troops"
Spokesman announces that two zoo keepers who stayed behind in Kharkiv to take care of the animals, have been "shot dead by Russian troops". Picture: Alamy/Facebook

By Megan Hinton

Two keepers who bravely stayed behind in Kharkiv to take care of animals have been found shot dead with their bodies discovered barricaded in a back room at the zoo.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The two employees were reported missing in March but in a video posted on Feldman Ecopark's social media today, the zoo confirmed their bodies had been found.

They claim the staff members were "shot by the enemies" who then "barricaded" their bodies in the back room of the zoo.

A statement reads: "War brings bad news. We have received confirmation that two of our employees who went missing in early March have died.

"When the war started, they stayed in the Ecopark and helped to feed the animals. We arrived at the Ecopark on March 7 and did not find them there.

"We searched for them for a long time, hooked up law enforcement officers. Until the last, we had been hoping that nothing irremediable had happened, and they were able to survive.

"But yesterday we received confirmation that their bodies had been found. Our guys were shot by the enemies, and their bodies had been barricaded in the back room.

"We’ll cherish the blessed memory of these wonderful and courageous people. Sincere condolences to their families and friends. We believe that inhumans who have committed this will definitely be punished!"

Read more: Ukrainian troops are 'repelling' Russian attacks as shelling 'intensifies' in Donbas

'The Ukrainians know if they lose, they disappear.'

In the early days of the invasion the zoo was reportedly shelled "repeatedly" killing three employees and some animals.

On April 5, the Ecopark reported that as a result of mass shelling and bombing by the Russian Armed Forces, its infrastructure and many enclosures were destroyed.

They warned: "The infrastructure is down, the enclosures are down. The biggest problem is big predators.

"Their enclosures still miraculously maintain integrity, but one more shelling - and the lions, tigers, bears, may end up on the will and go towards Kharkov or to nearby villages. We just can't allow this."

The zoo said it caused them "unimaginable pain" to talk about euthanising animals if they could not be secured but said "the main priority now is the lives of people".

Read more: Brits captured in Mariupol's last stand ask to be swapped for politician on Russian TV

English below Война приносит плохие новости. Мы получили подтверждение того, что двое наших сотрудников, которые...

Posted by Фельдман Экопарк on Tuesday, April 19, 2022

The eastern cities of Kharkiv and Kramatorsk came under deadly attack yesterday as the Kremlin declared that its main goal was the capture of the mostly Russian-speaking Donbass.

Russia also said it struck areas around Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro west of the Donbas with missiles.

A Russian victory in the Donbas would deprive Ukraine of the industrial assets concentrated there, including mines, metals plants and heavy-equipment factories.

Military experts said the Russians' goal is to encircle Ukrainian troops from the north, south and east.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Israel Palestinians

Israel resumes strikes in Gaza Strip as truce with Hamas expires

Jeremy Clarkson has broken his silence after it emerged that he, James May and Richard Hammond were set to leave the Grand Tour

Jeremy Clarkson breaks silence with good news despite leaving Grand Tour alongside Richard Hammond and James May

Police clashed with Legia Warsaw fans on Thursday night

Police officer set on fire and three more hurt after Polish football fans unleash 'planned violence' at Aston Villa game

King Charles in Dubai

Charles to tell world leaders 'the Earth does not belong to us' at Cop28 as he 'prays for action on climate'

Parts of the UK are set to see 5cm of snow on Friday

Brits to get 5cm of snow as temperatures plummet to -10C, as warning issued for drivers amid freezing conditions

The IDF said fighting had resumed

Israel-Hamas war restarts as truce deadline expires, as both sides blame each other for breaching ceasefire terms

Released prisoner

Israeli military confirms release of six more hostages in Gaza Strip

Rishi Sunak will call for an "era of action" on the climate

Sunak to call for 'era of action' on climate at Cop28 - despite watering down green measures at home

Omid Scobie has insisted he never sent out a book including two royals' names amid racism allegations

Dutch translator on Omid Scobie's Endgame insists she was sent manuscript with two royals' names in race row

Lloyds banking group is closing more branches in 2024.

Lloyds group to close 45 branches as Labour pledges to keep banks back on the high street - is your local affected?

Hall and Oates

Hall and Oates row: Judge extends pause on Oates’ sale of stake in business

Hamas has claimed Israel is refusing to take back the bodies of the Bibas family

Hamas releases propaganda video of father of 10-month-old Kfir Bibas saying Israel refuses to take his family's bodies

Police clashed with Legia Warsaw fans

Three officers injured as Polish football fans unleash 'planned and systematic violence' on police ahead of Villa game

William and Kate dazzled on the red carpet as they brushed off Scobie's claims

William and Kate all smiles on red carpet as royals brush aside storm around Omid Scobie's book Endgame

Opec sign

Saudi Arabia extends cut in oil it sends to world in bid to boost prices

Exclusive
An 18-month row over pay, job security and conditions has come to an end, for now

'Provoke us again and we will respond in kind': Mick Lynch issues new threat to government after pay deal halts strikes