Aid to Ukrainian zoos from Polish, Czech and Slovak colleagues reached €150,000. This was announced at the Conference of Polish-Czech-Slovak Zoos and Aquariums, which was held on November 25-26 in the Lodz Zoo (Poland). The meeting, which has been held for 20 years, was attended for the first time by the representative of the Association of Zoos of Ukraine (AZU) – the director of the Rivne Zoo, Oleg Pavlyuk.

During two days, specialists exchanged experience and presented their achievements in the field of keeping, exhibiting and veterinary care of animals.

Special attention was paid to the situation in which Ukrainian zoos found themselves due to Russian aggression.

Oleg Pavlyuk familiarized his colleagues with the work of Ukrainian zoos in wartime conditions and the difficulties that have to be overcome. For a better understanding of what is happening in Ukraine, the participants of the conference received the booklet “Mykolaiv Zoo in conditions of war”.

Ulyana Kalyazny (Orientarium Zoo Łódz) reported what humanitarian aid Ukrainian zoos have already received from Polish, Czech and Slovak colleagues with the financial support of EAZA. 7 large-sized vehicles weighing about 100 tons have already arrived in Ukraine for a total of €150,000.

Oleh Pavlyuk, on behalf of ASU, thanked his colleagues for their support. He also presented honorary awards and thanks to Michal Targowski, president of the Council of Directors of Polish Zoos, and Radomir Haban, president of the Association of Czech and Slovak Zoos.

The participants of the conference had the opportunity to view the exhibition of paintings WHY? Ukrainian artist Ihor Pavlyuk. The main goal of the exposition is to convey to our European neighbors the truth about the atrocities committed by the occupiers against animals in Ukraine.

More details about the exhibition WHY? we have already told before.