A devastating fire at a zoo in Crimea has resulted in the tragic death of more than 200 exotic animals.
The Tropic Park Zoo in Yevpatoria – an area of Ukraine annexed by Russia in 2014 – was engulfed in flames on Tuesday, April 16. The Russian Regional Investigation Department has said that the fire started around 3am local time and was fully extinguished by 7am.
“It’s a big tragedy, all the animals died, more than 200 of them. I can’t say any more details yet,” a representative from the zoo told TASS news agency. The five-storey zoo housed a variety of creatures including crocodiles, lemurs, monkeys, parrots, pythons, spiders, turtles, pigs, hamsters and many others.
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A female zoo worker was discovered unconscious in a room filled with smoke. She was fortunately rescued and is now reported to be stable.
Firefighters also battled to save the animals but were hindered as the enclosures burned rapidly due to flammable materials such as hay and wood. The blaze destroyed an area of 625sqm.
The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (RMES) reported that 20 people and six pieces of fire equipment were required to extinguish the fire. An investigation is underway, with the preliminary cause believed to be a short circuit in the refrigerator wiring.
Despite the overwhelming loss, some animals were saved by emergency services. A spokesperson said: “More than 200 zoo inhabitants died. The bears, whose enclosure was on the first floor, and several other animals were rescued.”, reports the Daily Star.
The zoo, situated within a resort complex in Yevpatoria, is located in a deserted children’s amusement park on Tokarev Street. It was said to be a favourite spot for locals before Russia invaded the area.