6 lions, 6 tigers, and an African wild dog are safe in Poland after a 2-day escape from Russia's invasion of Ukraine

• A truckload of zoo animals from a sanctuary in Kyiv made it safely to Poland after a two-day journey.
• The truck housed six lions, six tigers, two caracals, and an African wild dog.

A truck carrying six lions, six tigers, two caracals, and one African wild dog has made it safely to Poland after a two-day trip escaping the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a Polish zoo official said, Reuters reported.

The truck came from an animal sanctuary east of Kyiv and was traveling to a Polish zoo in Poznan to get the animals to safety.

Poznan zoo spokesperson Malgorzata Chodyla told Reuters the journey to get there took many tries. The first time, the trip failed because the truck couldn't pass through Russian tanks.

"They had to go a long way around to avoid Zhytomyr and other bombardment zones. They had to turn back many times, because all the roads were blown up, full of holes, impossible to pass with such cargo, which is why it took so long," Chodyla said.

"But here they are, and we just can't believe it."

All of the animals arrived safely, including tiger cubs and a 17-year-old tiger, according to Reuters. For now, they will remain in Poznan to rest, but may travel even further west.

In addition to the driver, three older men — who have had no previous experience handling wild animals — tagged along to assist on the journey. According to Reuters, they are now on their way back to Kyiv to defend their city.

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