Russians steal rare Bengal tigers from zoos on temporarily occupied territories

Russians have illegally abducted 26 more animals from the temporarily occupied territories in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk Oblasts. They were taken to the Taigan Safari Park in occupied Crimea. The animals were taken because of "financial problems of local zoos and regular bombardment of the territories".

This was reported by the Russian state news agency TASS. "Unfortunately, today in the 'new territories' , the situation with animal husbandry and private zoos remains difficult. They are completely dependent on attendance and quiet time, which is currently absent in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk Oblasts," Oleg Zubkov, director of the Taigan park, told the propagandists.

Among the stolen animals are five rare white Bengal tigers.

Photo: Vadim Vasenin/Depositphotos

"There are also big problems with feeding [the animals].

We have to buy beef for 275 roubles (about £3 - ed.) [per kilogramme]. There is a catastrophic shortage of it, and it is very expensive to feed animals that eat tens of kilograms of meat. We have taken these five tigers to the park for permanent maintenance," Zubkov said.

The Russians also brought two alpacas, nine Patagonian maras, three capybaras and two turtles to the occupied peninsula. Reminder: The Russians have recently transported rare Red Data Book animals from the occupied Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve to Russia.

Last year, the Russians stole nutria, parrots and a crocodile from Kherson Oblast, and they were also taken to occupied Crimea.

During the retreat, Russian soldiers also stole a raccoon, which was later "enrolled" in a university in occupied Melitopol.

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