Rescued Bear from Ukraine Dies in West Lothian Zoo
Yampil, a 12-year-old Asiatic black bear rescued from Ukraine, has died at Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian. The bear was undergoing an anaesthetic procedure for health complications, and sadly did not recover. Yampil was initially moved to a sanctuary in Belgium before being rehomed in Scotland.
Yampil, a 12-year-old Asiatic black bear rescued from war-torn Ukraine, has died at Five Sisters Zoo in West Calder, West Lothian.
Staff at the zoo expressed their devastation at the loss, which occurred following an anaesthetic procedure.
Rescued from the village of Yampil in the Donetsk province in January, Yampil was one of seven surviving animals from an abandoned zoo discovered by Ukrainian soldiers in July 2022 amid the Russian invasion.
After initially being moved to a sanctuary in Belgium, he was rehomed in Scotland.
Romain Pizzi, a specialist vet, mentioned that Yampil was comfortable and happy but had complicated health issues due to his traumatic past.
Unfortunately, Yampil did not recover from the anaesthetic.
Asiatic black bears, also known as moon bears, are a vulnerable species with fewer than 60,000 left in the world.
Staff at the zoo expressed their devastation at the loss, which occurred following an anaesthetic procedure.
Rescued from the village of Yampil in the Donetsk province in January, Yampil was one of seven surviving animals from an abandoned zoo discovered by Ukrainian soldiers in July 2022 amid the Russian invasion.
After initially being moved to a sanctuary in Belgium, he was rehomed in Scotland.
Romain Pizzi, a specialist vet, mentioned that Yampil was comfortable and happy but had complicated health issues due to his traumatic past.
Unfortunately, Yampil did not recover from the anaesthetic.
Asiatic black bears, also known as moon bears, are a vulnerable species with fewer than 60,000 left in the world.
