Ukrainian Risks Her Life For The Abandoned Animals Of War

Natalya Popova, an economist with no formal veterinary experience, has rescued more than 300 exotic animals and pets left behind or abandoned due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"They are my life," says the 50-year-old, stroking an appreciative tiger.

Located in the village of Chubynske in the Kyiv region, Popova's shelter has 133 animals, including 13 lions, one leopard, a tiger, bears, and three deer that she has rescued in hopes of finding them new homes or sending them abroad.

Popova says she often trembles with fear when she drives to Ukraine's eastern regions for animal rescue missions.

"Of course, it's scary. Of course, it's dangerous," she says. "I had to learn a lot of professions because not a single veterinarian would go to the front line."

Recently, Popova enlisted the help of UA Animal volunteers and military personnel who go with her.

"Our record is an evacuation in 16 minutes, when we saved a lion between Kramatorsk and Slovyansk," Popova says. "I had to learn to do anesthesia myself. Because animals such as lions, tigers, and bears, when they are under stress, it is impossible to take them away."

In most cases, Popova knows nothing about the animals she rescues, having been informed about them by concerned Ukrainian soldiers. "Animals don’t introduce themselves when they come to us," she jokes.

Poznan Zoo in Poland is also helping by sending rescued animals to places such as Spain, France, and South Africa. Popova estimates that 200 animals have been sent abroad, while another 100 found new homes in western Ukraine.

"I love them, and I understand that I do not have the resources to provide them with the comfortable life they deserve," Popova says. Her next project is to send 12 lions to Poland.

In 1999, Popova opened the first private horse club in Ukraine. But it wasn't until four years ago that she saved her first lion. An organization against slaughterhouses approached her with a request for help saving a lion with a broken spine. She did not know how she could help because her expertise was in horses.

But when she saw a photo of the big cat, Popova could not resist. She built an enclosure, paid the owner, and took the lion. Later, Popova created a social media page titled Help The Lioness and people began to write, asking for help saving other wild animals.

Yana, the first lioness Popova saved, was disabled and unable to find a new home, so she has become a member of the family. Yana had been cared for by Popova until she passed away two weeks ago.

Popova originally used the money from her horse business to bankroll her shelter. But since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the horse business has not been profitable.

With more than $14,000 a month needed to keep the animals healthy and fed, she has turned to borrowing and seen her debt grow to the equivalent of $200,000.

She receives some money from UA Animals and from donations, but the worries about how to keep everything together have kept her up at night. "I will still borrow money, go to hot spots, and save animals. I can’t say no to them," she says.

With no end to the fighting in sight, Popova knows she will still be needed. "My mission in this war is to save wild animals," she says.

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