Ukraine: lack of money, animals in this zoo eat less

Since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic in Ukraine, the zoo of Mykhailo Pinchuk had to adapt the diet of its animals, for lack of money. Feeding, felines, monkeys and giraffes costs around 17,000 euros per month for this 18 hectare park.

High-quality beef has been partially replaced by other meats and broccoli traded for cheaper cabbage. The animals were surprised by these changes, and one of the leopards has visibly lost weight, say zoo keepers.

“We are ashamed and they are sad“Mychailo Pinchuk is sorry to AFP. A sharp drop in income due to confinement has hit them hard.”Our only source of income is the zoo entrance tickets. because of quarantine, no one can let in“.

The zoo calls for donations

Established in 2015, the country’s largest private zoo is located on the outskirts of the village of Demydiv, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Kiev and is home to around 450 animals, including leopards, bears and giraffes.

Closed for almost two months, the establishment which draws on its reserves has therefore launched an urgent appeal for donations. 7,500 dollars (6,920 euros) were raised, but the zoo needs more to survive.

The new foods have affected the animals’ mood, according to the guards. “They are like people, they like variety“explains Maksym Kovalev, who has worked there for almost two years.”It’s like going to the porridge after eating food in a restaurant.“

Carnivorous animals like lions and jaguars have had to get used to cutting down on rations of high-quality meat, says another caretaker, Igor Dzharayan. Everything is done to ensure that the daily caloric intake necessary for the animals is respected.

Some animals sometimes skip multiple meals before getting used to new foods. “At first, they simply do not understand what is brought to them and do not eat it. They look at him with surprise“explains the boss.

Social distancing from monkeys

Monkeys, whose diets are expensive, have also been significantly affected, he says. Joseph the orangutan loves persimmons and mandarins and his mood can turn sour if he does not get his favorite fruit explains Pinchuk.

At first, staff tried to avoid contact with the monkeys, fearing they were infected with the coronavirus, but this proved to be too difficult.

“It was unbearable. They saw us pass and not enter their cage. They did not understand why we did not come back, they sat at the door crying, closing the door“describes the owner of the zoo.

The monkeys also feel the lack of visitors according to the guards. The establishment, which welcomes several hundred thousand people each year, is particularly frequented in the spring.

As of Monday, Ukraine is expected to start lifting the containment measures, which gives hope to Mykhailo Pinchuk that he can be allowed to reopen as an outdoor park.

Severe restrictions will probably have to be introduced to ensure the safety of animals, in particular the prohibition of feeding them.

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