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Six lions and six tigers came face to face with Russian tanks during a two-day trip to a Polish zoo after being rescued from a sanctuary near Kyiv.
The lorries containing the animals skirted battle front lines, a zoo spokesman said.
The big cats, along with two caracals and a wild dog, travelled about 1,000 kilometres to the Polish border while avoiding the Zhytomyr region, which Russian forces have bombarded, said Poznan zoo spokeswoman Malgorzata Chodyla.
“They had to go a long way around to avoid Zhytomyr and other bombardment zones. They had to turn back many times, because all the roads were blown up, full of holes, impossible to pass with such cargo, which is why it took so long,” she said. “But here they are, and we just can't believe it.”
Ms Chodyla said all the animals, including tiger cubs, survived the long journey and arrived safely on Thursday. However, the zoo was worried about a 17-year-old female tiger who looked very tired.
At one point, the lorry had to stop overnight opposite Russian tanks.
The driver rested under his vehicle while the owner of the Ukrainian shelter fed the animals because the transport crew did not know how to, the spokeswoman said.
At the border, the animals were transferred to a Polish lorry while the Ukrainian driver returned home to his children.
For now, the animals will be cared for at the Poznan zoo. After the animals have had some rest in Poznan, they may travel further west.
A Belgian sanctuary declared it would take in the six lions and the African wild dog, Ms Chodyla said.
Zoo director Ewa Zgrabczynska, who helped arrange the rescue, said she is already in contact with several western organisations that want to take in the animals.
She also launched a fund-raising drive as the city of Poznan, which runs the zoo, lacks a budget to take care of the animals.
SERIES INFO
Schedule:
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
1st ODI, Wed Apr 10
2nd ODI, Fri Apr 12
3rd ODI, Sun Apr 14
4th ODI, Sun Apr 16
UAE squad
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Zimbabwe squad
Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
