In March, Denver Zoo launched a Wildlife Emergency Fund to assist zoos in Ukraine that have been impacted by Russia’s war. Since then, the Zoo has received more than 865 individual donations, and distributed $50,000 to three organizations across the embattled country—Kyiv, Cherkassy and Odessa Zoos—to help them care for their animals under extremely dangerous and difficult conditions. Denver Zoo is continuing to accept donations and plans to send more funds to those—and potentially other—Ukrainian zoos in the near future: Wildlife Emergency Fund.
“If there was no support of friends who send us money, it would be very, very difficult to buy the fruits and vegetables we buy for our primates every day,” said Kyiv Zoo Director Kyrylo Trantin in a video statement shared with Denver Zoo. “Our main goal is to make sure that our animals do not feel that something is wrong behind the fence. They must eat well, we must serve them very well and give them our love and respect.”
As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), Denver Zoo has closely monitored the situation in Ukraine, and stayed in touch with other zoo leaders to ensure assistance will reach the people, animals and organizations most in need. The Zoo also received assistance from Ukrainians of Colorado, which helped build connections with zoo leaders in Ukraine and facilitated the direct transfer of funds to those organizations.
“We’ve all watched in horror as this crisis has unfolded in Ukraine, and our hearts go out to the Ukrainian people who have shown incredible bravery and resilience,” said Bert Vescolani, President and CEO of Denver Zoo and a council member of WAZA. “Our community is so compassionate and caring, not only for Denver Zoo, but for other wildlife and conservation causes around the world. I’m inspired—but not surprised—to see such an outpouring of support for our friends in Ukraine.”
Denver Zoo has a long history of responding to wildlife emergencies around the world. It has participated in more than 600 wildlife conservation, rescue and rehabilitation projects by providing staffing or funding over the past 25 years. The 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.
