Gloucestershire animal welfare foundation works to save animals caught up in Ukraine conflict
Naturewatch Foundation has been working in the country since 1994
A Gloucestershire animal welfare charity is helping to save animals caught up in the conflict in Ukraine.
Naturewatch Foundation, which is based in Cheltenham, has been working in the country since 1994 to tackle animal abuse and create a compassionate environment for them to live in.
They've reported that many animals have already died or have been seriously injured and say every animal will be feeling stressed.
Mark Randell, campaign manager for Naturwatch Foundation's Ukraine programme, said: "The real problem everyone has is that no one really knows what the developing situation is.
"One minute Kyiv Zoo might be a problem, the next situation could be the zoo in Mykolaiv or an aquarium in odessa.
"Everything is changing by the hour and we're providing our expertise of the country having worked there for so many years, and contacts, to recue as many animals as possible."
"How do you get a shark out of a warzone?"
A particular area of concern are the zoos in the country.
Kyiv zoo alone has 4,000 animals living there - with thousands more dotted around in other major cities which are under attack from Russian troops.
"In Mykolaiv zoo there's 5,000 animals ranging in size from a polar bear to insects to snakes and fish.
"The actual logistics of moving them in normal times would be pretty much impossible. certianly moving them in a war zone isn't going to happen.
"How do you ship a shark or a dolphin out of a warzone?
"It's just about doing the best job that we can and making sure they are suffering as least as they have to."
To support Naturewatch Foundation's Ukraine appeal head to their website.