…By Judah Olanisebee for TDPel Media.
Tragic Loss: Ukrainian Zoo Devastated as 300 Animals Drown in Floodwaters
In a devastating incident following a dam blast in Ukraine, approximately 300 animals at a local zoo have drowned and died due to flooding.
The collapse of a major dam in southern Ukraine on Tuesday resulted in widespread floods, posing a threat to crops and drinking water supplies.
Amid the chaos of both sides involved in the war focusing on evacuating residents and blaming each other for the destruction, hundreds of animals were left stranded at the Kazkova Dibrova zoo.
Situated along the banks of the Dnipro river in the Russian-occupied Kherson region, this zoo was previously home to various animals such as monkeys, donkeys, horses, and raccoons.
The zoo now remains completely submerged, with only swans and ducks reported to have survived.
According to a spokesperson from the Kazkova Dibrova zoo, the animals could not be evacuated due to the park being mined, making rescue operations impossible.
Despite the risks involved, two workers braved the dangers and attempted to feed the animals on a daily basis.
Heartbreaking footage of the devastation circulated on social media, eliciting shock and horror from viewers witnessing the tragic fate of the hundreds of drowned creatures.
Anton Gerashchenko, a pro-Ukrainian figure on Twitter, shared videos showcasing the flooding as well as happier moments featuring the zoo’s animal residents.
Local reports suggest that the authorities, belonging to Russia as part of the occupied Nova Kakhovka region, made no efforts to aid in the rescue of the animals.
Meanwhile, the mayor of the occupied Kherson region, Vladimir Leontyev, stated that the water level continued to rise.
As a precautionary measure, an evacuation of civilians from the flooded areas adjacent to Nova Kakhovka was underway to ensure the preservation of lives.
Despite the challenging situation, there was no sense of panic within the town.
Nova Kakhovka still had electricity, although two villages downstream were disconnected from the grid for safety reasons.
According to an emergencies official, it is anticipated that the water level below the dam will continue to rise for the next 72 hours before subsiding, allowing for a clean-up operation.
Social media images depicted a flooded central square in Nova Kakhovka, with water reaching halfway up the entrance doors of its neo-classical cultural center.
Amidst the tragedy, a female resident named Yevheniya expressed her decision to stay, citing the responsibility of caring for her 95-year-old bedridden grandmother, a Second World War veteran.
She emphasized the importance of following one’s conscience and the challenges of leaving her vulnerable family member behind.