Bianca Otero

Photographer

Saving Wildlife from Conflict

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Two brother tigers, saved from ...travel to their long term home.

Two brother tigers, saved from war, are within the compound at Poznan zoo, awaiting for further travel to their long term home.

War’s human cost is widely reported, and rightfully so. What is less revealed is the devastating impact war has on wildlife. Two women are fighting the odds to save captive and abandoned wildlife in Ukraine defeating immense bureaucracy to bring animals to Poznan Zoo, where they are quarantined and then found homes in countries throughout Europe and beyond.

Presentedare photographs of the painstaking transfer of animals by Ewa Zgrabczyńska and Nataliia Popova including the first time they met in person and how their time progressed from there. With their teams they bring the animals to the zoo where Ewa is Director and then starts the journey for a better horizon there or further into the EU, SA and US for their long term rehabilitation.

Ewa Zgrabczyńska, Director of t...a or West to the United States.

Ewa Zgrabczyńska, Director of the Poznań Zoo, pets Ruru, one of the first lions, who was rescued and sent to her zoo for safety.
Ewa made room on open land that had not been previously developed on the zoo property and made a quarantine location for wildlife saved from war.
From there, they will be transferred to other locations and sanctuaries going as far south as South Africa or West to the United States.

As the process can take long ho...edure to be done. Poznan Poland

As the process can take long hours, Ewa speaks to customs to expedite the process of entry at the border to park the vehicle to park so they may check the wellbeing of and feed the animals while waiting for paperwork and the custom procedure to be done. Poznan Poland

Natalia and Ewa embrace after m...the onset of war. Poznan Poland

Natalia and Ewa embrace after meeting in person for the first time since starting collaboration four months prior at the onset of war. Poznan Poland

Natalie gestures while standing...r in her vehicle. Poznan Poland

Natalie gestures while standing with one of the crates holding a bear in her vehicle. Poznan Poland

Ewa and crew check on status of...ntine and safety. Poznan Poland

Ewa and crew check on status of animals in dark before handing off to carriers who will take these smaller animals to quarantine and safety. Poznan Poland

After various attempts, at last... and nourishment. Poznan Poland

After various attempts, at last a success, the bear releases in his new, temporary cell where there is also access to a personal back area of forest and nature. There he will be quarantined and held for 4-6 weeks for evaluation and nourishment. Poznan Poland

Natalia’s vehicle dri...al other animals. Poznan Poland

Natalia’s vehicle drives to the other side of the zoo for release of several other animals. Poznan Poland

A blind elderly wolf which was ...ake it to safety. Poznan Poland

A blind elderly wolf which was found abandoned in a gated area, was rescued and sent with Natalia. Locals were outraged by the state of the animal and felt the welfare to take care of it was pertinent and begged Natalia to take it to safety. Poznan Poland