The founder of the Yalta Zoo stole animals from the Askania-Nova Nature Reserve

The occupying authorities, together with their collaborators, plundered the unique “Askania-Nova” Biosphere Reserve, located in the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson region. The illegal removal of rare animals was disguised as an “official exchange and transfer” to Crimean entertainment zoos. 

Under the procedural guidance of the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor’s Office of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a well-known Crimean businessman—the founder of the Yalta Zoo “Kazka” and the “Taigan” Lion Park.

The investigation established that the suspect entered into an illegal “agreement” with the reserve’s puppet director, who had been appointed by the occupiers. As part of this conspiracy, in March 2024, the following were illegally removed from the nature reserve’s territory and transported to the temporarily occupied Crimea:

• 10 rare Chapman’s zebras;

• 3 adult cows of the unique Ukrainian gray breed, which is a valuable genetic asset of the country’s livestock industry.

The amount of direct damage inflicted on the Ukrainian nature reserve as a result of this theft is estimated at over 67.3 million hryvnias.

The actions of the Russian occupiers and their accomplices constitute a direct war crime, as the “Askania-Nova” Biosphere Reserve has special status:

• It is the largest steppe reserve in Europe by area and conducts unique international scientific research;

• The site is officially protected by UNESCO and is part of the international network of biosphere reserves;

• The reserve is strictly protected from looting, appropriation, and destruction of property during the occupation by Article 56 of the Fourth Hague Convention on the Laws and Customs of War on Land, which equates the property of such institutions with private property.

Currently, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies are continuing to gather evidence to hold all those involved accountable at both the national and international levels.

This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General.