Kyiv zoo braves blackouts and bombardment to keep animals warm

"Kyiv zoo's most famous resident lays on his back watching television. On screen: a nature documentary. For a quarter of a century, Toni has been the zoo's star attraction, drawing tens of thousands of visitors. He is Ukraine's only gorilla. At 52 old by western gorilla standards he needs warm conditions similar to the lowlands of central Africa. In recent weeks, heating Toni's spacious enclosure has become a logistical headache."

"The zoo receives only three or four hours of regular electricity a day. Russian strikes have battered Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leaving more than half a million people without power. In January, ballistic missiles destroyed a thermal plant on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Like the rest of Kyiv, the zoo has endured repeated and prolonged blackouts during one of the coldest and longest winters in years. Temperatures have fallen to -22C."

Toni, a 52-year-old western gorilla, requires warm conditions similar to central African lowlands. The zoo now receives only three or four hours of electricity daily after Russian strikes damaged energy infrastructure and destroyed a thermal plant on the Dnipro's left bank. Repeated prolonged blackouts coincided with one of the coldest winters, with temperatures down to -22C and heavy snowfall. Some animals like bison, yaks and camels remain outdoors, while vulnerable species stay indoors. The zoo installed generators and wood-burning stoves and uses a Bullerjan heater to keep Toni around 17C, with staff sourcing logs from the grounds.

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