Around 300 animals die in Nova Kakhovka zoo due to flooding following Kakhovka HPP dam destruction

The administration of the Kazkova Dibrova zoo in the city of Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region of Ukraine, reports that around 300 animals have died due to the flooding that had started after the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP dam, as per the zoo’s socials. 

“In the morning, the Kazkova Dibrova relaxation centre was fully flooded following the Russians blowing the Kakhovka HPP. Around 300 animals who were known and loved by our residents have died. Monkeys Anfisa and Charlik, pony Malysh, donkey Osya, raccoons Mishka, Lelya, Dinka, grey parrot Venya, raven Roma, marmots, Cameroonian goats, sheep, parrots, guinea pigs, weasels, and many of our other favourites. Only a couple of swans and ducks were saved. A little cygnet, who was only born five days ago, also died,” the administration said in a statement.

According to the zoo admins, it was already flooded at 6 AM when the zoo employees arrived. 

“This is a big tragedy, a terrible pain. Thank you to everyone who responded. But we don’t need help. Let Kazkova Dibrova remain in our memories as a fairy-tale part of our hometown,” the statement reads.

Russia’s state news agency TASS reports, citing a representative of the emergency service of the city district, that “there was no zoo” in Nova Kakhovka, so the information on the death of the animals “is fake”.

The administration said that after the start of the Russian occupation of the Kherson region, the park was mined, the roads closed off, and evacuation of the animals became impossible. A local woman took in over 60 thermophilic animals until spring. Two zoo employees “went to the zoo every day, under shelling, risking their lives, to feed and take care of the animals”.