Vladimir Putin presented more than 70 wild animals from the Moscow zoo to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a symbol of “friendship”. According to the Moscow Times, the animals were sent to a zoo in Pyongyang.
According to the publication, the gift was personally handed over by the Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation Oleksandr Kozlov during his visit to the capital of North Korea. The animals, including an African lion, two brown bears, two domestic yaks, five white cockatoos, 25 different species of pheasants and 40 mandarin ducks, were flown to North Korea from the Moscow Zoo.
According to Minister Kozlov, this initiative is a “new milestone” in cooperation between Russia and the DPRK. He noted that such a gesture symbolizes friendly relations between the countries and will contribute to closer cooperation in the field of veterinary medicine, rehabilitation and the return of rare species of animals to the natural environment.
“Historically, animals have played an important role in interstate relations: they were given as a sign of support, kindness, and care. Today, I am presenting a gift from Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin to my Korean comrades.” – Kozlov stated.
This is not the first case of such gifts: in April of this year, Russia sent about 40 birds to the DPRK, including eagles, golden eagles, cranes, parrots, as well as several pythons.
