The management of Feldman EcoPark has confirmed that it will not relocate despite local authorities suggesting the potential need to evacuate animals due to escalating security threats in the Kharkiv area. The park’s leadership emphasized that they have an emergency plan in place while continuing their operations at the current location.
This announcement follows a statement from Oleg Synegubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, regarding the deteriorating security situation.
Reasons for Not Relocating the EcoPark
In response to widespread inquiries about the future of the animals, the EcoPark team outlined three main reasons why relocating to another region is not feasible:
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Lack of Safe Zones in Ukraine. There are currently no fully secure locations in the country, as the enemy is capable of striking any area.
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Technical Challenges and Resource Shortages. A complete relocation would require vast land, the construction of new enclosures, and extensive infrastructure, all of which demand significant funding and time that are currently unavailable. Additionally, other Ukrainian zoos are also facing threats and lack the capacity to accommodate animals from Kharkiv.
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Threat to Animal Welfare Due to Stress. Previous evacuation experiences in 2022 revealed that many animals suffered not from direct attacks but from stress during transport. The situation is further complicated by the recent birth of many young animals that require stability and care.
Currently, the EcoPark remains open to visitors free of charge. To ensure guest safety, large events have been minimized or moved online. Furthermore, the animals are involved in rehabilitation programs for wounded military personnel, displaced individuals, and civilians affected by the war.
Position of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration: Drone Strike Threats
On a related note, Oleg Synegubov indicated that due to increased Russian drone strikes in the Kharkiv region, the authorities do not rule out the possibility of evacuating animals from Feldman EcoPark in the future.
According to Synegubov, the administration has previously halted mass events at the EcoPark due to direct threats to visitors.
“The enemy is aware that there is a concentration of people there and other factors. Provocations and direct strikes are certainly possible… We are in communication with them and preparing for potential evacuation measures for this facility. Because the situation is only expected to worsen, as we predict,” Synegubov stated.
It is important to note that the security situation in the northern outskirts of Kharkiv remains extremely tense due to the increased activity of enemy drones. For instance, on May 21, 2026, part of the Kharkiv ring road near the EcoPark was temporarily closed to all vehicles due to the threat of aerial strikes.
Feldman EcoPark in Kharkiv will not relocate despite security threats, citing a lack of safe zones and the risk of stress-related harm to animals. The local administration has indicated potential future evacuations due to increased drone activity in the region.
Source: РБК-Україна