Russia has transferred more than 70 animals, including an African lion, two brown bears and 45 pheasants to a zoo in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang.
The animals transferred from Moscow Zoo, were “a gift from Vladimir Putin to the Korean people”, the government said. The delivery also included two domestic yaks, 40 mandarin ducks and five white cockatoos.
Alexander Kozlov, Russia’s natural resources minister, oversaw the relocation of the animals, which were transported by plane to the Pyongyang Central Zoo accompanied by veterinarians from the Moscow Zoo.
“Historically, animals always have played a special role in relations between states. They have been given as a sign of support, kindness and care,” he said.
Ties between Russia and North have strengthened during the Ukraine war, with North Korea recently sending 10,000 troops to bolster Russian forces. This June the two countries signed a mutual defence pact that includes a clause requiring the countries to come to each other’s aid if either is attacked.
During that trip North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gave Putin a pair of Pungsan dogs, a local breed. The two also took turns driving each other around in a Russian-built Aurus limousine.
The pact has magnified western concerns about potential Russian aid for North Korea’s missile or nuclear programmes.
Pictures published by the Russian government on Wednesday showed a white cockatoo travelling in a crate and Kozlov receiving a tour of the Korean zoo from local officials.
North Korean state media KCNA reported on Thursday that rare animals had been received as gifts from Putin.
On Thursday the two countries signed a protocol on cooperation after meetings covering trade, the economy, science and technology in Pyongyang, according to North Korean state media KCNA.
There were few details in the KCNA report, but Russia’s Tass news agency said on Tuesday that the countries agreed to increase charter flights following the meeting, citing Russia’s ministry of natural resources.
Between January and September, the number of tourists travelling between Russia and North Korea amounted to over 5,000 people, with more than 70% travelling by air, it said.
With Reuters