Russia gifts exotic animals to North Korea's central zoo
Russia has sent over 70 animals, including an African lion and two brown bears, to the zoo in Pyongyang. This is a gift from Vladimir Putin to the Korean people.
1:51 PM EST, November 20, 2024
According to the Russian government, these animals are "a gift from (Russian President) Vladimir Putin to the Korean people," reports NBC News.
Animals arrive in the capital of the DPRK
The Russian Minister of Natural Resources, Alexander Kozlov, oversaw the transport of animals. They were flown to the Central Zoo in Pyongyang, accompanied by veterinarians from the Moscow Zoo. Photos published by the Russian government show a white cockatoo in a cage and Kozlov touring the zoo with local officials.
Russia sent birds, including eagles, cranes, and parrots, to the Pyongyang Zoo in April. Pyongyang and Moscow have strengthened ties following Putin's visit to North Korea in June, during which he signed a treaty with Kim Jong Un. Kim gifted Putin a pair of Pungsan dogs, and both leaders rode in a Russian Aurus limousine.
