Putin gifts zoo animals, including lion, bears and ducks, to North Korean zoo

MOSCOW – Russia transferred more than 70 animals, including an African lion and two brown bears, to a zoo in the North Korean capital Pyongyang from Moscow’s zoo, the Russian government said on Nov 20.

The animals were “a gift from (Russian President) Vladimir Putin to the Korean people”, the government said.

Mr Alexander Kozlov, Russia’s Natural Resources Minister, oversaw the relocation of the animals that were transported by plane to the Pyongyang Central Zoo, accompanied by veterinarians from the Moscow Zoo.

Pictures published by the Russian government showed a white cockatoo travelling in a crate, and Mr Kozlov receiving a tour of the Korean zoo from local officials.

“An African lion, two brown bears, two domestic yaks, five white cockatoos, 25 pheasants of various species and 40 mandarin ducks were transferred from the Moscow zoo to the Pyongyang zoo,” the natural resources ministry said in a post on Telegram.

Russia in April donated birds, including eagles, cranes and parrots to the Pyongyang Central Zoo.

Pyongyang and Moscow have deepened political, military and cultural ties amid Russia’s offensive on Ukraine, with Mr Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un repeatedly professing their personal camaraderie.

Mr Putin previously gifted Mr Kim 24 purebred horses, known to be Mr Kim’s favourite, while Mr Kim sent Mr Putin a pair of Pungsan dogs, a local breed.

The two had also taken turns driving each other around in a Russian-built Aurus limousine.

Russia and North Korea, both under heavy Western sanctions, signed a mutual defence pact earlier in 2024 that obligates them to provide immediate military assistance if the other is invaded.

Western capitals, as well as Ukraine and South Korea, say North Korea has recently deployed more than 10,000 of its troops to Russia, to be sent into combat against Kyiv’s forces. REUTERS, AFP