The animals left to starve to death in Ukrainian zoo as new government of debt-ridden country divert funds elsewhere

Animals in a Ukraine Zoo are starving after government cuts funds



Kharkiv Zoo will run out of food by the end of the weekend

Animals in a Ukrainian zoo have been left to die of starvation in the wake of the country’s political turmoil, it has been claimed.

The director of Kharkiv Zoo blamed Ukraine’s warring politicians for failing to provide funds, saying the zoo only have enough food to last until Monday.



Alexey Grigoriev is said to be ‘in tears’ over the plight of the animals, and has pleaded with the prime minister for help.

Starving: Staff at Kharkiv Zoo, Ukraine say a pregnant elephant, claimed to be 'hungry and on the point of expiring from exhaustion'

’Our animals are not fighting for power, they do not share anyone's political views, they just want to live,’ said a statement by the zoo.

‘Without emergency measures, our completely innocent animals will start dying next week.’

A pregnant elephant was hungry and on the point of expiring from exhaustion, it was claimed.

Local reports say funds earmarked for the zoo have been sent elsewhere.

At risk: The zoo only has food for their animals until Monday as a result for political turmoil in Ukraine

Not enough: The director of Kharkiv Zoo blamed Ukraine¿s warring politicians for failing to provide funds Dying: A starving lion is hanging its head by an empty feeding station at Kharkiv Zoo, Ukraine A letter sent by the director Grigoriev to Ukraine's prime minister said: ‘The Kharkiv zoo animals on the verge of starvation.’ Suppliers have been providing food for free for three months but have now refused to provide more, he said, pleading with the government for immediate action. The country - partially invaded by Russia last week - is also on the point of bankruptcy. A local campaigner for the zoo, Olga Sitkovskaya, said: ‘I spoke to the director and, sorry for this detail, but this clever, strong adult man burst into tears of helplessness.

Suppliers have been providing food for free for three months but have now refused to provide more

‘The city allocates funds needed for maintaining the zoo, but Kiev redirects the money to some of its needs.



'As a result, the animals in the zoo, are in a catastrophic situation.’

‘Along with the whole country, our zoo is living through difficult and terrifying times,’ said the zoo statement.



'By Monday, we will have nothing with which to feed the animals.’