Wild animals as a business in Ukraine: animal rights activists had to fight for 2 lionesses from Khmelnytskyi

28 November 12:51

In Khmelnytskyi, two lionesses, pets of the local zoo of Serhii Paliokhin, became the epicenter of a high-profile scandal and a struggle between animal rights activists, law enforcement officers, and private businesses that make money from breeding wild animals. The story, which began with the escape of predators, has turned into a case study of systemic gaps in the treatment of animals and attempts to use them as a “resource” for making money. This was reported by the Association of Animal Protection Organizations of Ukraine, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports

What happened: the escape of two lionesses and a criminal case

According to the association, on November 15, 2025, two young lionesses escaped from the Palkhino zoo. According to the owner, one remained on the territory of the facility – she was driven to a barn, sedated, and returned to her enclosure. The other one jumped the fence and ended up in a neighboring area, where it had to be captured remotely.

The police opened a criminal investigation under Article 299 of the Criminal Code (cruelty to animals), which was later reclassified to Part 3, a more serious form of the crime. Serhii Paliokhin was notified of suspicion.

Nevertheless, both lionesses… were officially transferred back to the same owner for “responsible storage”. That is, to the person from whom they escaped and who is under investigation.

“The lionesses are supposedly officially recognized as material evidence in criminal proceedings. This was later stated by the district prosecutor to the president of the Association of Animal Protection Organizations of Ukraine (APOU), Maryna Surkova. But despite this, they were transferred for “responsible storage” to the same S. Palyokhin – the person from whom they escaped and who was served with a suspicion under Article 299 of the Criminal Code,” the association said in a statement.

First violations: animals are evidence, but no examination was conducted

The lionesses were recognized as material evidence in the criminal proceedings. However, a mandatory veterinary examination was never carried out, despite the fact that it would have allowed to record injuries or poor maintenance.

The delay threatened to allow the short-term injuries to disappear, and with them the legal basis for proving cruelty.

“Having opened criminal proceedings, where the consequences for the animal in case of cruelty are a crime, no veterinary examination of the lionesses was conducted. And without an examination, it is virtually impossible to determine the presence of bodily injuries, which are a prerequisite for a crime under Art. 299 of the Criminal Code. At the same time, the delay created a risk of possible short-term injuries disappearing,” the DPO noted.

The first chance for salvation… and a sudden rollback

on November 17, prosecutor Yuriy Havrylov called Natalia Popova’s Wildlife Rescue Center and asked them to take in the lionesses. The Center immediately agreed: they began preparing transportation, veterinarians, and funding.

The next day, the prosecutor was supposed to confirm the transfer, but he did not call back.

Later, he said that the animals “will not be given back” because they are “material evidence.”

“On the same day, we learned that the Arden Park, which has a reputation for black breeding of wild animals, intervened in the situation. He “solved” everything there, and was already rubbing his hands with a successful “catch”. And we understand that the lionesses would be used for breeding and enrichment, and then we would save offspring from these lionesses all over Ukraine for many years in a row…”, the Association reported.

Animal rights activists sound the alarm

On the evening of November 18, the Association together with the Popova Center began urgent appeals to all possible institutions.

The President of the Association Maryna Surkova personally called Prosecutor Gavrilov, reminding him of the requirements of the law and the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1010, which regulates the temporary seizure of animals in criminal proceedings.

The prosecutor again promised to “call back” but never did.

The situation changed only after an appeal to the head of the Khmelnytsky Regional Prosecutor’s Office, Anton Kovalsky, was made. It was he who intervened and returned the process to the legal track.

Thanks to his decision, the lionesses were officially transferred to the Natalia Popova Center, the only place where they could receive veterinary care and safe keeping.

The lionesses were finally saved

on November 21, the animals arrived at the Rescue Center. They were examined on the spot by veterinarian Inna Vasylkivska, and a full diagnosis will be carried out at the Center, which has an X-ray, ultrasound, blood analyzer and all the necessary equipment.

After a difficult legal, communication and organizational struggle, the lionesses are finally in safe conditions.