PREVIEW

Yampil The Bear Rescued From Ukraine's War Zone Arrives At Scottish Zoo. Yampil, an Asiatic Black Bear bear rescued from an abandoned zoo in a war zone in Ukraine, has arrived at Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian after an astonishing rescue mission. When Ukrainian soldiers entered the village of Yampil, Ukraine, after five months of Russian occupation, they discovered an abandoned zoo on its outskirts Out of nearly 200 animals at the zoo Yampil the bear was one of the few animals to survive the invasion. Staff at Five Sisters Zoo – renowned for its rescue work and care for endangered animals – first heard about the bear from the Belgian charity, Natuurhulpcentrum which cared for Yampil in the time between his rescue and looking for his permanent home. After a long journey across Europe Yampil arrived at Five Sisters Zoo on Friday 12 January 2024. Brian Curran, owner of Five Sisters Zoo, said: “We are so pleased to say that Yampil has arrived here safe and well, and is settling in perfectly in his forever home here with us. “When we were made aware of the awful treatment and conditions Yampil was subjected to, our hearts broke; we were just so amazed he was still alive and well”. What’s next for Yampil? Well he is now in a temporary enclosure where he’ll hopefully fall into a peaceful hibernation. While Yampil settles and rests, the team at Five Sisters Zoo are working round the clock to finish building Yampil’s permanent enclosure, where he’ll see-out the rest of his life. The zoo’s fundraising progress for the enclosure stands at approximately £60,000 of the targeted £200,000 needed. Donations can be made at https://fivesisterszoo.co.uk/yampil-the-bear-rescue-fund.