Key points
- At Probiy Waterfall in central Yaremche, a live monkey has been used for paid photo sessions with tourists.
- The information was made public by a Threads user, after which the incident gained wider attention.
- UAnimals stated they had previously responded and filed a complaint with the police, but received no reply.
- The organisation has submitted a renewed request to check the animal’s living conditions and verify any legal documentation.
- The city council says similar incidents often occur during the tourist season.
- The Ivano-Frankivsk region police are currently investigating the case.
- In Ukraine, the use of wild animals for photo services outside licensed institutions is considered an administrative offence.
At Probiy Waterfall in central Yaremche, Ivano-Frankivsk region, a case of a live monkey being used for paid photo sessions with tourists was recorded. The incident was reported on 14 April by a user of the social network Threads, who also published photos. The situation was later discussed by animal rights activists and local authorities.
I have lived long enough in this world to keep seeing these crafty businessmen with monkeys and pigeons. When will they finally be punished for exploiting animals and illegal enrichment? Right in front of me, they charged a soldier 2,400 UAH for four photos (that was already with a discount).
– the author of the post on Threads.
In a comment to ZAXID.NET, press director of the Ukrainian animal rights and environmental organisation UAnimals, Kseniia Shepelenko, said the organisation had previously responded to this incident. According to her, a volunteer visited the site, documented the situation, called the police and filed a report, but animal rights activists have still not received a response to their complaint.
In light of this, we are once again обращing to the police. We ask them to carry out an inspection, present any permits for the wild animal, establish the conditions of its keeping and verify them in accordance with current legislation. We also ask the police to provide a response regarding our previous complaint.
– Kseniia Shepelenko.
The Yaremche City Council also confirmed that such situations are not rare. During the tourist season, people often bring various wild animals to the waterfall for photo services. The authorities note that they usually report such cases to the police, but action often requires statements from eyewitnesses.
The Ivano-Frankivsk regional police told ZAXID.NET that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In Ukraine, the use of wild animals for photo services outside zoos, circuses and dolphinariums is considered animal cruelty and an administrative offence.
Such a violation carries a fine of 3,400 to 8,500 UAH or administrative arrest of up to 15 days, with possible confiscation of the animal from the owner.
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