Damages from the removal of rare animals from the Askania-Nova reserve by the Russians were estimated at more than 85 million UAH

The legal management of the Askania-Nova biosphere reserve confirmed the facts of the removal of the animal collection, the loss of Red Book vegetation and the death of animals due to panic – Russian aircraft fly very low in the reserve.

“Currently, 2 Chapman’s zebras, 2 American bison, 2 Przewalski’s horses, 2 David’s deer have been taken out. The death of 33 individuals, including 27 Emus, one Nandu ostrich, also David’s deer, and a Kaffir buffalo, has already been recorded and criminal proceedings have already been opened,” said Natalia Korinets, Deputy Director for Scientific Work of Askania-Nova.

According to the State Environmental Inspectorate of the Southern District, the damage from the removal of rare animals was estimated at 85 million 200 thousand hryvnias.

“According to available information received from reserve employees, who, unfortunately, are in the occupied territory, as well as from other sources, numerous cases of violations of environmental legislation have been recorded. There is a threat of loss of unique natural complexes, because due to the lack of proper control, there may be places of unauthorized logging, poaching, violation of the water regime of territories, disappearance of unique animals that are in this territory,” noted the First Deputy of the State Environmental Inspectorate of the Southern District Andriy Sydorenko.

The Biosphere Reserve “Askania Nova” is one of the largest Ukrainian reserves in Ukraine.

Approximately 3.5 thousand species of animals were kept in the reserve’s zoo. In addition, the reserve has a truly unique biodiversity, with more than 2.5 thousand species of flora and about 2,300 species of fauna located on its territory. At the same time, 167 species of flora and 307 species of fauna are listed in nature protection lists of various ranks, in particular, the Red Book of Ukraine, as well as regional and international lists.