Indian doctor stuck in Ukraine with wild cats wants to be airlifted

HYDERABAD: It's been 168 days since Russia invaded Ukraine, but an Indian doctor is still stuck there with his pet big cats, a black panther and a jaguar.

Gidikumar Patil, who hails from West Godavari in Andhra Pradesh, chose to stay in Ukraine with his large cats rather than abandon them in a war zone.

Patil, who has been living in Ukraine since 2007, eventually bought the two cats from the Kyiv Zoo in 2020. However, because he is currently short on funds to feed his cats and survive in Ukraine, he requested that he be airlifted by the Indian government along with the big cats.

Patil, who currently lives near Secerodonetsk in Ukraine, sold all of his possessions, including a five-acre plot, a house, a flat, and cars, to fund the feeding of his large cats and the construction of a bomb shelter to protect them in the conflict zone.

Dr. Patil told Newstap about his ordeal and said, "The local authorities have reopened the hospitals, but they are only hiring local Russians, so I am unable to earn a living. I am currently feeding my cats by going for home treatments here as I'm running low on funds now. And making a living without money around here has gotten really difficult. I request that the Indian government fly me and my big cats to the Hyderabad or Andhra Pradesh zoos, where they will be kept in a secure environment and allow me access to see them at least once per month".

He went on to say, "Since my location is currently under Russian control, the Indian government can easily airlift us." If the Indian government is unable to assist, I request that rich and famous Indians adopt my big cats. For the benefit of my large cats and the building of a bomb shelter to keep them safe in a war-torn country, I have sold all of my possessions, including a five-acre plot of land, a house, a flat, and cars. Now that I am out of everything, it is extremely challenging to do more for my cats. My parents are anxious for my safety and are awaiting my quick return. I request assistance from the Indian government for me and my big cats."

Even though the war has been going on for 168 days, bombing noises can still be heard occasionally, usually after 12 o'clock at night. Typically, when bombs are dropped, gas and electricity supplies are disrupted, Dr. Patil said, explaining the war situation.

Dr. Patil studied medicine at Lugansk State Medical University in Ukraine from 2007 to 2014. He earned his Diploma in Orthopaedics in Kyiv in 2015-2016 and has been working as an orthopedician in Ukraine since 2018.