The Natalia Popova's wildlife rescue centre and UAnimals private organisation for the rescue and care of animals, during the full-scale war, rescued more than 600 wild animals from the occupied and hot spots of Ukraine (mostly Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv) — bears, lions, leopards, tigers, monkeys, deer, roe deer, horses, donkeys, camels, foxes, raccoons, raccoon dogs, rhinos, porcupines, hedgehogs, peacocks, etc.
"Something flies in our direction (rocket — ed.), we hear a whistle and think "that is the end." And then it explodes somewhere very close, and we continue to ship the lion into the car," Olena Bila, volunteer of the UAnimals animal evacuation team.
Today, every animal at the Popova center and UAnimals desperately needs new enclosures. Support the fundraising and give a chance to rehabilitate 36 predators, including 11 lions (3 of them are tiny lion cubs), 3 tigers, a leopard and a raccoon.
"We are planning to build a complex of 10 open-air enclosures of various sizes. These enclosures are designed for large predators — lions, tigers, leopards, etc. In addition, in each aviary, houses will be equipped for wintering and sleeping of animals. We will also install a heating and lighting system for the aviaries and repair the utility room," UAnimals.
In its natural environment, the lion hunts daily in an area of approximately 50 km2. Indeed, no enclosure can create such conditions for a freedom-loving animal. Therefore, the Popova center and UAnimals rehabilitate animals from the horrors of war, treat them, and organise the transportation of animals to other countries and even to freedom in their native environment — Africa, forests of Poland, etc.
Every animal deserves a dignified life and should not die from war and starvation.
