Wolves and foxes settle in the villages of Zaporizhia: why predators are fleeing to people

According to glavcom.ua: In the Belenkov community, located in the Zaporizhzhia district, local residents have noticed squirrels and foxes. The animals are seeking shelter from the military actions due to the proximity of the front line. Local resident Lyudmila Tarasova said: 'Wolves and foxes live in cities and outskirts, as many gardens have been left without residents. Therefore, animals have to find places to live near populated areas.'

'On June 21, a jackal entered Belenkoye and bit a woman in the yard. The victim was hospitalized, and she received a rabies vaccination. Wild animals were also spotted in the area of Belenkoye, Pervoe and the borders of the villages of Chervonodniprovka and Belenkoye. The bitten cats were attacked by wild animals,' said Alla Kryshtal, deputy head of the village.

Monitoring the population of wild animals in the region had to be suspended due to a ban on hunting since February 2022. At the same time, a campaign was conducted in the Zaporizhzhia region to immunize predators against rabies to prevent danger to the population. Residents of the area are urged to be cautious and report any encounters with wild animals to the relevant services immediately.

In other regions of Ukraine, the appearance of wild animals in cities and villages is also being observed. Specialists recommend that residents follow behavioral rules and take precautions to avoid conflicts with the owners of the forest.