A bear rescued from the war in Ukraine and relocated to a West Lothian zoo has died.
Staff at Five Sisters Zoo in West Calder said they were “completely devastated” by Yampil’s death following anaesthetic.
The 12-year-old Asiatic black bear was adopted at the zoo in January after being rescued from the village of Yampil in Donetsk province in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian soldiers discovered an abandoned zoo in the village when they arrived in July 2022, five months after the Russian invasion.
They found Yampil injured and traumatized after the Russian bombing of the zoo.
Of the zoo’s nearly 200 animals, he was one of seven survivors.
Rescuers first moved him to an animal sanctuary in Belgium before he was permanently placed in Scotland.
Romain Pizzi, a specialist vet at Five Sisters Zoo, said Yampil was “comfortable and happy” at West Lothian Zoo.
He said, however, that animals rescued from such “traumatic circumstances” could have “complex health issues such as dental problems or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”
He said: “Yampil was anaesthetised for further treatment for his health issues which were worrying the team.
“Unfortunately, there are always risks associated with animal anesthesia, and Yampil did not recover from the procedure.”
“A really sad day”
The bear was being monitored for signs of PTSD when he arrived at the zoo after being injured by shellfire in the war zone.
The vet said zoo staff were “deeply affected by the loss of our beloved Yampil”.
He added: “We recognise that this will be a truly sad day for all the incredible people who helped make his rescue possible.
“While the zoo remains open as usual, we ask for respect and privacy from our owners and staff during this difficult time.”
The Asiatic black bear, also known as the moon bear because of the crescent-shaped yellow fur on its chest, is classified as a vulnerable species by conservation groups, with estimates suggesting there are fewer than 60,000 left in the world.
They are medium-sized bears, averaging between 137 and 165 cm tall and weighing between 90 and 115 kg. Males are often heavier and can weigh up to 181 kg.
