Putin's wildlife diplomacy: Over 70 animals gifted to North Korea
After sending North Korean soldiers to Russia, Putin transported over 70 animals from Moscow Zoo to North Korea, including brown bears, lions, and birds. The Russian embassy in the DPRK reported the matter.
As stated in the embassy's communiqué, "the Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology, Alexander Kozlov, transferred over 70 animals from Moscow Zoo to the central zoo in Pyongyang. This was a gift from Vladimir Putin to the Korean nation."
Animals in exchange for soldiers
"Cooperation between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is not only about the economy, trade, and industry. It's an extensive list of environmental projects. Now it has been joined by friendship between the zoos in Moscow and Pyongyang. These are leading institutions where rare species of animals are studied, rescued, protected, and bred in captivity. This signifies a new milestone in cooperation on issues like rehabilitation, reintroduction, veterinary medicine, and creating exhibit infrastructure," it reads.
Animals sent to Pyongyang included: an African lion, two brown bears, two domesticated yaks, five white cockatoos, 25 pheasants of various species, and 40 mandarin ducks.
It's another gift for the Korean zoo. In April 2024, Moscow handed over to Pyongyang, among others, white-tailed eagles, cranes, and parrots.
"Exchange of the century: after sending North Korean soldiers to Russia, Putin transported over 70 animals from Moscow Zoo to the DPRK," commented Anton Herashchenko, former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
