Home / War and Conflict / Russia bombs Ukraine zoo: Lions injured, birds killed
Russia bombs Ukraine zoo: Lions injured, birds killed
2 Jan
Summary
- Lions sustained injuries after a Russian bombing raid.
- Most rare birds perished when a shell struck their aviary.
- A volunteer suffered head injuries during the attack.
Russian bombing on January 2, 2026, severely damaged the Feldman EcoPark in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. The attack resulted in injured lions and the deaths of most rare birds housed in a direct hit to their aviary. A 40-year-old volunteer also sustained head injuries and required hospitalization.
The zoo, situated just 20km from the front lines, has faced repeated Russian attacks since the full-scale invasion. While some animals were evacuated, and the park had partially reopened, the latest bombardment caused further destruction to enclosures and buildings, leaving them in ruins.
This incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by civilian infrastructure and wildlife in Ukraine. Staff had previously been lauded for their efforts to tend to and evacuate animals during bombardments, with some employees and volunteers losing their lives in earlier attacks.
