A lion, bears, yaks and a cockatoo – these are part of the gift that Russia gave to the North Korean zoo in Pyongyang. In total, over 70 animals were donated, which the Russian Minister of Natural Resources called “a gift from Vladimir Putin.”
Ministry of Natural Resources in Russia on Wednesday reported that Russia gave North Korea animals for the Pyongyang zoo as a gift. The transport of the animals was supervised by Minister Alexander Kozlov, who has been on a visit to North Korea since November 17, during which he met, among others, Kim Jong Un.
– Today I am giving Korean comrades a gift from Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin for the Pyongyang Zoo. We delivered over 70 individuals, Kozlov said. While donating an African lion and two brown bears to the Pyongyang Zoo, he recalled that “historically, animals have occupied an important place in interstate relations and were given as a sign of support, kindness and care.”
The ministry's press service reported that the animals delivered from the Moscow Zoo also include two domestic yaks, five white cockatoos, 25 pheasants of various species and 40 mandarin ducks. “All specimens are young and can give offspring that the Pyongyang Zoo so desperately needs,” the statement said.
Caged animals donated by Russia to the Pyongyang zooReuters
Russia and North Korea are deepening cooperation
The transfer of animals takes place at a time when Russia and North Korea deepen cooperation after Moscow's attack on Ukraine. This is the second time animals have been transferred between them. In April, Russia already donated over 40 animals to Pyongyang, including eagles and pythons, and in June, during Putin's visit to North Korea, Kim Jong Un gave him a pair of local Pungsan dogs. “This is an example of mutual goodwill between the countries,” state media in North Korea said at the time.
The Pyongyang Central Zoo has been operating since 1959 and is home to both species of animals known in Korea and exotic ones, such as elephants, hippos and giraffes.
A lion donated by Russia to the Pyongyang zooReuters
Main photo source: Reuters