A growing number of animal rights organizations have been expressing concern for animals at the Ukrainian zoo, with documented poor living conditions, malnutrition and inadequate medical care that has led to the deaths of hundreds of animals.

In addition, some specimens of rarer species have gone missing, with reports that they have been illegally sold. Most recently, Ukrainian prosecutors opened a criminal investigation, citing some 50% of the zoo’s animals that have either died or disappeared over just a two-year period.

Evidence of a shocking lack of adequate treatment and care led the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria to expel the zoo from its membership in 2007.

We thank the Ukrainian government for its investigation, and the animal rights groups for their united voice of concern for the welfare of these animals. May the day soon come when animals can once again live freely in their natural habitats, regarded with respect by humans who allow them to fulfill their Divine purpose of sharing love with all beings on Earth.

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