Flood at Russian zoo traps animals in half-submerged cages
MOSCOW -- A flood has swept through a private zoo in Russia's Far East, trapping 14 brown bears and a lion in their half-submerged cages.
Video broadcast on Russian state television showed the bears standing on their hind legs and clinging to the bars with their front paws to keep their heads above the muddy water.
Vera Blishch, identified in the TV report as a bear trainer, checked on their condition from a boat Monday and said they were suffering from cold and lack of sleep.
Pictures and video posted to social media appear to show the flooding as well and the bears trapped in their cages.
One other bear at the Green Island zoo in Ussuriysk already drowned after a river burst its banks Sunday following a deluge caused by Typhoon Goni, the state RIA Novosti news agency reported.
The television report showed volunteers gathering food and medicine for the surviving animals.