Askania-Nova destroyed? Reserve Director responded to the loud statement.

The director of 'Askania-Nova' refuted the information about the destruction of the reserve

The director of 'Askania-Nova' Viktor Shapoval refuted the information about the complete destruction of the reserve by Russian occupiers, which was previously reported by the media citing a statement by the head of OVA, Oleksandr Prokudin. Shapoval said this in a comment to 'Suspilne. Kherson'.

According to the director of the reserve, the facts of animal removal do exist, but it is not about the destruction of 'Askania-Nova' today.

«This is a process that is happening, but not an accomplished fact. To date, 20 animals have been taken to the Russian Federation and the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea. Some animals died due to neglect, lack of qualified scientific support, and veterinary services. A significant part of the reserve steppe – over 2000 hectares, has burned out due to fires of varying origins», – said the director of the reserve.

According to him, these facts are recorded by a special commission at the Kherson OVA, the State Environmental Inspectorate. Several criminal proceedings have already been opened.

«The facts of significant damage caused by Russia's armed aggression and occupation are present. The fact of the destruction of the reserve is not», – Shapoval stated.

Earlier, head of OVA Prokudin in an interview with the media stated that Russian occupiers had looted the 'Askania-Nova' reserve in the Kherson region, so it no longer exists de facto. 

By the way, Russian invaders took several individuals of Chapman's zebra, American bison, Przewalski's horses, and David's deer from the Askania zoo. This was reported by Ukraine's Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Ruslan Strelets.

Earlier it was reported that Russian occupation forces are stealing animals from the Kherson reserve «Askania-Nova» and transporting them to the Krasnodar «Safari Park».