The occupying authorities of the biosphere reserve “Askania-Nova” announced their intention to “exchange” animals with the Moscow Zoo.
This is reported by pro-Russian media.
According to the occupiers, veterinarians and ornithologists from Moscow also plan to provide methodological consultations to the reserve’s staff.
The director of the institution appointed by the Russians, Dmytro Meshcheryakov, stated that such “projects” allegedly will concern scientific activities, educational initiatives and biodiversity conservation.
In May 2024, information appeared that the occupiers concealed information about the removal to the Russian Federation of animals from the reserve “Askania-Nova”, listed in the CITES Convention.
Throughout 2023-2024, so-called exchanges of animals, including from the Askania-Nova biosphere reserve, have been systematically carried out by the illegal authorities. The Ukrainian management of the reserve pointed out that such exchanges are unequal.
The reserve itself “Askania-Nova” is in a critical condition, and its employees are not being paid salaries.