Denver Zoo has launched a fundraising appeal to provide emergency assistance to the zoos in Ukraine that have been impacted by the Russian invasion. Funds raised will support the organizations and personnel working in Ukraine and bordering nations that are providing food, transportation, veterinary care and evacuation for the animals, and support for the zookeepers and other staff that continue to care for their animals under extremely dangerous and difficult conditions. Donations can be made here: Denver Zoo Wildlife Emergency Fund.
“We’ve all watched in horror as this crisis has unfolded in Ukraine, and our hearts go out to the Ukrainian people,” said Bert Vescolani, President and CEO of Denver Zoo and a council member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). “Our zoo professional colleagues in Ukraine have inspired us with their courage and dedication as they work to care for the animals, and we must do what we can to support them as a member of the global zoo and wildlife conservation community.”
As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and WAZA, the Zoo has been closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine and staying in touch with other zoo leaders with WAZA and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) to ensure assistance will reach the people, animals and organizations most in need. Funds raised will be distributed in accordance with a plan developed by WAZA and EAZA that will first go to provide immediate needs for animals and staff at Ukrainian zoos, followed by recovery assistance for zoos and other wildlife organizations when the time comes.
“So much of what we do is giving the animals in our care everything they need to thrive and create a stress-free environment, and I can’t begin to imagine how you do that in a warzone,” said Maura Davis, assistant curator of pachyderms at Denver Zoo. “I’ve seen the reports that many of the zookeepers in Ukraine are sleeping at their zoos to care for their animals, but I’m sure they’re wondering where they’re going to get their next load of hay, vegetables and other supplies.”
Denver Zoo’s Wildlife Emergency Fund will be used to support Ukrainian zoos now,
as well as other global wildlife emergencies in the future. For more information, visit DenverZoo.org.
