Inside North Korea’s ‘most depressing’ zoo with chain-smoking chimps and Putin’s bears

Links between and the authoritarian regime of have strengthened after sent a batch of animals to a desolate zoo in Pyongyang.

An African lion and two brown bears were part of a shipment of 70 animals that Moscow donated to the North Korean zoo. The Russian government said the animals were “a gift from Russian President to the Korean people”.

Photographs of the zoo paint a rather grim picture. In some released images a white cockatoo was spotted inside a crate, while ‘s natural resources minister Alexander Kozlov was given a guided tour by North Korean dignitaries.

Past accounts regarding the zoo have raised red flags among wildlife experts. A 2006 Asia Times article highlighted a documentary alleging that animal fights were staged at with accusations that staff encouraged the creatures to fight.

The zoo, home to a variety of species including elephants, gained notoriety in 2016 when it showcased Azalea – a chimpanzee trained to smoke cigarettes continuously, reports . Additionally, there’s a “dog pavilion” showcasing various canine breeds.

And back in 2003, The Telegraph, reported on a parrot trained to squawk “Long live the Great Leader, Comrade Kim Il Sung”, echoing the state’s propaganda.

A 2018 Mirror report exposed an “alarming scene” at a zoo, capturing a keeper “throwing a turtle around by its tail”. Additional images depict a despondent bear clawing at walls and dingy fish tanks.

This isn’t the first instance of extending a helping hand to the zoo, despite the recent military pact between Putin and his ally, North Korean dictator , which has tightened their alliance.

In April, sent over 24 Orlov Trotters distinguished purebred horses with gleaming white coats, not to be confused with ‘Trotskyists’. The West, however, is likely to remain more preoccupied with the thousands of North Korean soldiers now reportedly active on the Ukrainian front lines than with the zoological donations.