Dutch animal foundation helps transport Ukrainian lions to shelter

The Netherlands is continuing to show its support for Ukraine. This time, by helping with the evacuation of its zoo animals.

The Dutch AAP Foundation is currently helping to transport four lions and a wild African dog from Ukraine to one of their rescue centres in Spain.

A long journey

The journey from Kyiv has been a long one for the lions. Brave volunteers from the Ukrainian animal organisation, Wild Animal Rescue, removed the animals from their zoo to bring them to AAP’s partner zoo in Poland.

According to APP’s social media, the volunteers were held at gunpoint by Russian soldiers upon leaving Kyiv but they refused to leave the animals. Eventually, they were allowed to leave.

Following an anxious drive to the zoo in Poland, the animals were given a few days to rest and recuperate.

AAP has been updating the public on the lions’ journey on their Facebook page. Above, they are seen resting at the Polish zoo.

Time to step in

The AAP usually works to help animals organisations within the European Union, however, they made an exception for Ukraine. They explain on social media:

“Even though AAP usually focuses on animals in need in the EU, we could not leave these brave Ukrainians and their animals out in the cold.”

The trip continues

For the past 24 hours, the AAP foundation has been driving the animals to a rescue centre in Spain. They are expected to arrive this afternoon with lions Gyz, Flori, Kiara, and Nila, and the wild African dog Zair. 🦁 💙💛

Uplifted by this story? You can donate to the AAP’s rescue fund to continue supporting efforts to rescue animals from Ukraine.

Feature Image:Depositphotos
Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
Before becoming the Senior Editor of DutchReview, Sarah was a fresh-faced international looking to learn more about the Netherlands. Since moving here in 2017, Sarah has added a BA in English and Philosophy (Hons.), an MA in Literature (Hons.), and over three years of writing experience at DutchReview to her skillset. When Sarah isn't acting as a safety threat to herself and others (cycling), you can find her trying to sound witty while writing about some of the stickier topics such as mortgages and Dutch law.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related posts

Latest posts

7 important things to check on your Dutch employment contract in 2025

✍️ Written by Seliz Demirci, employment lawyer at GMW lawyers. Receiving a job offer in the Netherlands is exciting, and it can be tempting to...

BREAKING: The Netherlands is about to fully ban fireworks — for good

We may be well into 2025, but the New Year’s fireworks debate is still blazing hot, with yet another Dutch party backing a full...

9 common financial mistakes expats in the Netherlands make (and how to avoid them)

Living in a foreign country is exciting, but amidst this emotion, many internationals make financial mistakes that could easily be avoided.  From using the wrong...

It's happening