The war in Ukraine is now in its second month. With each passing day we’re looking forward to it being the last of the senseless war, which has uprooted millions of families, killed thousands, and instilled fear in countless others. But it is not only the people that are suffering, but also the hundreds of animals stuck in zoos, previously their home, now their prison.
Lots of attempts have been made to try and save the animals, one being written about previously by Bored Panda ourselves. Here is another great tale of something difficult to imagine - 10 kangaroos being placed in a van and driven away from their zoo in Kharkiv to, hopefully, escape an early demise.
Be sure to read to the end as we delve a bit deeper into the question - why are zoos being attacked in the first place? Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts at the end, comment 'Gnarly mate' to show your support, but for now, let’s get into the story!
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A volunteer packed his van full of kangaroos to give them a chance at a safer and longer life amid the Russo-Ukrainian war
Image credits: Фельдман Экопарк
If there’s a murder of crows, then there’s a mob of kangaroos. In my mind, the two should collaborate, but I digress. 10 beautiful kangaroos have been evacuated to safety by a man in a van.
In a video shared by Feldman Ecopark, a man is seen driving a van when the camera pans to show his companions, patiently waiting to arrive at their destination.
If you look very closely, there is a pair of kangaroos seemingly having an argument on the very left, with one smacking another on the face. Hilarious.
"Today is a month since the beginning of the war, and we're continuing the evacuation of the animals," the driver said in the video, translated by The Washington Post.
The ten kangaroos huddled in the van, some looking out the windows, others chilling in place
Image credits: Фельдман Экопарк
A pair was seemingly having a dispute over something unknown to us, one smacking the other on the face
Image credits: Фельдман Экопарк
They were previously homed by Feldman Ecopark, found by animal lover Oleksandr Feldman, however, it's become a victim to Russian shelling
Image credits: feldman_ecopark
The zoo, called Feldman Ecopark, was established by Oleksandr Feldman. Located in Kharkiv, Ukraine, it has not been able to avoid shelling of the enclosures and innocent bloodshed.
The park shared photos of what seemed to be the remains of shells and announced that a mandrill named Stepan, who, as the caption read, was “a favorite of Kharkiv residents", had become a victim and passed away. Multiple workers at the zoo had fallen victim to the attacks as well.
Stepan, a favorite among the residents, has passed away due to the attacks. He is one among many animals to have lost their lives
Image credits: feldman_ecopark
Image credits: feldman_ecopark
It has since become the zoo's mission to save as many animals as possible, because "every life, whether human or animal, is worthy of fighting for its salvation"
Image credits: feldman_ecopark
On Friday, March 25th, they shared more sad news on their Instagram account: “Four fallow deer and three Welsh goats became victims of another barbaric shelling. The list of victims of aggression among our pets is growing - it already includes large felines, primates, ungulates, marsupials, birds…”
Therefore, it has become their present mission to save as many animals as possible, stating that “every life, whether human or animal, is worthy of fighting for its salvation.”
Staff and rescue workers have also been able to save rare track turtles, along with white-nosed and blue monkeys. They explained that it was no easy task evacuating turtles, weighing over 100 kg, but they managed.
Some of the residents had run away following the damage to their enclosures, including these beautiful red-coated wolves
Image credits: feldman_ecopark
Some of the animals have been released to the surrounding forests to allow them the best chance of surviving the war, such as roe deer and elk. Others, such as these red-furred, foxlike wolves, have run away themselves following the shelling and damage to enclosures.
Every day they are trying their best to rescue the remaining animals, but it’s been no easy feat, considering the equipment needed and the threat of war itself, but they continue to try.
Let's dive into the psychology of war, aiming to answer the question - why are animals being attacked? Enjoy some pre-war kangaroo pictures in the mean time!
Image credits: feldman_ecopark
Considering the large-scale attacks on zoos and animal parks, people’s reactions have been full of shock and disgust, as if it’s not enough to be shelling hospitals and residential areas, they now have to attack innocent animals too? What is the logic?
Well, those same thoughts have entered my mind and I thought it the best chance to do some research into the psychology of war, as the main reason seems simple - an element of manipulation for a favorable outcome.
Image credits: feldman_ecopark
Age-old tactics aiming to demoralize the enemy for their own gain are still very much in place and, sadly, the innocents suffer
Image credits: feldman_ecopark
Attacking the innocent is one of the few ways to build a sort of propaganda, almost to say ‘more innocent life will be lost if you continue the war and don't submit to our requests.’
If we look at what propaganda is, then according to Encyclopaedia Britannica, it is a means of psychological warfare, “intended to demoralize the enemy, to break his will to fight or resist” and also to strengthen the resolve of allies or resistance fighters.
The use of atrocities to demoralize enemy populations is an age-old tactic that has, sadly, never disappeared.
Image credits: feldman_ecopark
Image credits: feldman_ecopark
A popular technique in any propaganda campaign is the separation of ‘us’ vs ‘them’, in a way trying to find the most reasons to distinguish someone as an enemy in the first place, then giving them immoral qualities in order to justify negative actions towards them.
According to the studies by Stefan Vetter, “we are convinced that the enemy acts out of a wish for domination, whereas our actions come out of self-defense, benevolence, and reasons of common decency and morality.”
He continues to argue that we start to believe that the real problem began with an act from the enemy that can be solved only by breaking his will or by making him helpless: “What better way to let him feel this then by using torture?” Torture on those, especially, that cannot fight back and are at the mercy of those that care for them or protect them.
The play of war is never a moral one, where lives of people and animals are concerned. The methods used can be questioned and labeled as immoral and disgraceful, as they are, but as Stefan continues to say, “in times of war, there are collective and individual shifts in perception, thought, and behavior. All of this is necessary so that man is able to go to war.”
Image credits: feldman_ecopark
We anticipate the end of the war with each passing day and hope that soon all the people and animals can come home
Image credits: feldman_ecopark
We can all hope that the war between Ukraine and Russia ends soon, and that everyone can finally breathe a sigh of relief. For now, we continue to observe the situation.
The Feldman Ecopark has linked to a donations page, if you’d like to support them and their efforts of saving the animals in their care. Click on the highlighted text to go to the website.
Here is the full video of the evacuation
As they say: “No matter how difficult it is, we do not give up, we move forward - step by step, day by day.”
Let us know what you thought of this story and I shall wish you a happy and safe day!
People are grateful to the heroes saving the animals, what are your thoughts on the story?
