The marbled polecat is a rare animal found in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas of Ukraine, as well as the Azov steppes. In the area that is currently occupied by russia, it was formerly protected. Scientists thought there were just 100 marbled polecats in all of Ukraine, but in recent years, reports of the animal have increased. We talked to one of the people who witnessed it to find out what is so special about the marbled polecat.

Every year, thousands of wild hamsters are being killed in Ukraine. However, this is not the only reason why scientists predict its complete extinction by 2050. We talk about the threats to this species and rescue missions with Mykhailo Rusin, a researcher at the Rehabilitation and Reintroduction Center for Rare Species at Kyiv Zoo and the founder of the Hamster Rescue Center.

From patrolling the streets to going undercover, Mark Randell spent over three decades in law enforcement. After retiring from the police force, he dedicated himself to exposing a category of crime that is often overlooked: crimes against animals. In our conversation with Mark Rendell, we find out how he managed to reduce the number of pheasants brought to Britain to be killed, and what it takes to go undercover in the world of illegal dog fighting.

Illegal wildlife trade is one of the most powerful criminal businesses in the world. According to Interpol, its annual turnover ranges from $7 billion to $23 billion. These figures are surpassed only by human trafficking, drug trade, and arms dealing.

How the heron Marfa scolds a photographer, his meeting with the King of Belgium, and how an old cot became a shelter — read all about it in an interview with the globally renowned photographer Viacheslav Mishchenko.

Kamianska Sich is a place rich in history and home to a unique steppe ecosystem. Two Ukrainian scientists grew so fond of this area that they dedicated themselves to studying and protecting it. Even now, after nine months of russian occupation and under constant shelling, they continue their work. Learn about what they have discovered so far and what they plan to explore next in this article, which is part of the #StopEcocideUkraine project.

How trees become a living shield during war, how animals settle in shell craters, and how lichens signal the revival of nature. Read the report from a Ukrainian national park near the russian border.

As part of the #StopEcocideUkraine project, we talk about what is often grandly called "love for the homeland"—a feeling deeply rooted in memories of birds singing in Sumy, encounters with wild animals near Prypiat, and night swims in Crimea. But most of all, this love lives in dreams of these places surviving, so we can one day return.

Black water. Shores covered in dead fish, crayfish, and snails. The unbearable stench. These are the consequences of pollution that came from russia and poisoned the Seym and Desna rivers in August. Local communities are still assessing the consequences, but they are already bracing for further contamination. This report from the scene reveals that russia commits environmental crimes not only through warfare.

Everyone in Ukraine and beyond should know the answers to these ten questions, share them, and never forget about russian ecocide. Otherwise, the perpetrators of environmental crimes will remain unpunished.

The importance of studying and protecting wetlands

russia's war against Ukraine is destroying life and dividing families on both land and sea. This includes both people and animals. As part of the #StopEcocideUkraine project, we explore the impact of the war on marine mammals.

A slightly playful quiz that can help you discover something new about yourself and some rare Ukrainian animals.

How does explosive ordnance affect wildlife and natural areas? How long will it take to remove these threats from unique natural environments? We examine these issues as part of the #StopEcocideUkraine project.

What archaeology and animal protection have in common

What is happening to Ukrainian nature reserves under occupation? The destruction of entire ecosystems for the sake of profit, consumerism, and russia's further expansionist ambitions, the killing and theft of animals... Read about these and other russian environmental crimes in the OSINT investigation as part of the #StopEcocideUkraine project.

The United States, Costa Rica, Uganda… Andrew Kushnir travels the world helping animals. This is his fifth visit to Ukraine: he has rescued not only cats and dogs but also lions and a leopard. He shared all of this in the interview, sometimes even in Ukrainian.

How can you combine your love for TV shows and animals? Of course, by taking this quiz!

UAnimals media, together with the OSINT agency Molfar, investigated the Russian connections in the activities of the Nemo dolphinarium network.

Once known as the Grand Meadow, the ancient Ukrainian steppe, the area has become the bed of the Kakhovka Reservoir by Soviet engineers who built a dam. The recent act of ecocide by the Russians, who blew up the dam, has been studied under the #StopEcocideUkraine project to understand how nature is recovering.

Meet the bears Synochok, Liubochka, Chada, and Mykhasyk, as well as their half-wolf neighbor, Nymphadora. They were once treated as objects: kidnapped from their dens, forced to perform in circuses, confined to cramped cages, sold and resold. Now, they live in spacious enclosures with semi-natural conditions. Finally, they have a choice.