Hundreds of exotic animals die in zoo fire in part of Ukraine annexed by Russia

Tyler Mitchell By Tyler Mitchell Jun16,2024

A devastating fire at a zoo in Crimea has resulted in the tragic death of more than 200 exotic animals.

The Tropic Park Zoo in Yevpatoria – an area of Ukraine annexed by Russia in 2014 – was engulfed in flames on Tuesday, April 16. The Russian Regional Investigation Department has said that the fire started around 3am local time and was fully extinguished by 7am.

“It’s a big tragedy, all the animals died, more than 200 of them. I can’t say any more details yet,” a representative from the zoo told TASS news agency. The five-storey zoo housed a variety of creatures including crocodiles, lemurs, monkeys, parrots, pythons, spiders, turtles, pigs, hamsters and many others.

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A female zoo worker was discovered unconscious in a room filled with smoke. She was fortunately rescued and is now reported to be stable.

Firefighters also battled to save the animals but were hindered as the enclosures burned rapidly due to flammable materials such as hay and wood. The blaze destroyed an area of 625sqm.

The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (RMES) reported that 20 people and six pieces of fire equipment were required to extinguish the fire. An investigation is underway, with the preliminary cause believed to be a short circuit in the refrigerator wiring.

Despite the overwhelming loss, some animals were saved by emergency services. A spokesperson said: “More than 200 zoo inhabitants died. The bears, whose enclosure was on the first floor, and several other animals were rescued.”, reports the Daily Star.

The zoo, situated within a resort complex in Yevpatoria, is located in a deserted children’s amusement park on Tokarev Street. It was said to be a favourite spot for locals before Russia invaded the area.

Tyler Mitchell

By Tyler Mitchell

Tyler is a renowned journalist with years of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, entertainment, and technology. His insightful analysis and compelling storytelling have made him a trusted source for breaking news and expert commentary.

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2 thoughts on “Hundreds of exotic animals die in zoo fire in part of Ukraine annexed by Russia”
  1. It’s truly heartbreaking to hear about the devastating fire at the zoo in Crimea. Over 200 exotic animals losing their lives is a huge tragedy. My thoughts go out to the zoo workers and all those affected by this terrible incident.

  2. It’s heartbreaking to hear about the tragic fire at the zoo in Crimea. Over 200 exotic animals lost their lives in this devastating incident. My heart goes out to the dedicated zoo workers who did their best to save the animals. Let’s hope for a thorough investigation to prevent such tragedies in the future.

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