As families, pets and rescued animals flee to neighboring countries amid the Russia-Ukraine war, workers at the Kyiv Zoo are staying put to take care of thousands of zoo animals.
STORY: As Ukraine endures an escalating bombardment from Russia, many are fleeing to neighboring countries - others are seeking shelter deep underground. But Kirill Trentin is staying put to help protect those with nowhere to go the animals at the Kyiv Zoo. “I think four days ago, there was a huge fight near the zoo. And there was an attempt to occupy the military unit. Tracer ammunition was flying all over the zoo." Trentin, the zoo director - along with his colleagues and their families - have been living together in the zoo for the past week, since the Russian invasion began. They call themselves a 'zoo military commune.' "It’s stressful for animals. And in the morning after we have to look if anybody was hurt. But there were no obvious signs of injuries, and no one died. But birds were hurting themselves while hitting on cages.” Trentin says the zoo houses 200 species and nearly 4000 animals. "All day we are working with animals, and at night we are