All animals that escaped from Tbilisi zoo captured

The Georgian authorities have reported that all the animals, which had escaped from the zoo in Tbilisi during the flooding, have been caught. Sick animals will be treated, including with the help of experts, who came from other countries.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Tbilisi zoo, located in the low-lying part of the city, was completely flooded; and many animals, including predators, ran out into city streets. It was reported that at least 300 out of 600 zoo animals were lost. Some of them died on the spot during the flooding; and some predators, which escaped from their aviaries, were shot dead by special agents.

There are no more animals-escapees from the zoo wondering in the city, said Irakli Garibashvili, the Prime Minister of Georgia, at a sitting of the emergency headquarters on June 15.

Some animals were found in the zoo, when they began cleaning it. Thus, on June 15, under a half-meter layer of dirt, they found live wild boar and a crocodile. The administration of the zoo said that a part of the zoo is covered with mud and boulders; and it will take long to clean it, despite the participation of volunteers.

Experts from a number of countries, including Armenia, Israel and the Czech Republic, offered their help to their Tbilisi colleagues in catching and treating animals, and in restoration of the zoo.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.