A Ukrainian zoo says two workers who stayed at the park to feed the animals after Russia launched its invasion have been found dead.
The Feldman Ecopark in Kharkiv said in a statement the workers bodies were discovered "barricaded in the back room".
Kharkiv, in Ukraine's north-east near the Russia border, has been witness to some of the fiercest fighting in the war.
"When the war started, [the two employees] stayed in the Ecopark and helped to feed the animals," said the statement posted on social media and the park's website.
"We arrived at the Ecopark on March 7 and did not find them there.
"Until the last, we had been hoping that nothing irremediable had happened, and they were able to survive
"But yesterday we received confirmation that their bodies had been found.
"Our guys were shot by the enemies, and their bodies had been barricaded in the back room."
The ABC has not been able to independently verify the claims.
The park boasted about 5,000 animals from more than 300 species before the conflict.
It has come under shelling since the invasion began in late February and staff have been working to relocate the animals elsewhere in Ukraine.
According to the park's management, three staff members have been killed by bombs and more have been wounded as they tried to feed the animals.
In addition, almost 100 animals have been killed, some while trying to escape, according to the park.
"We’ll cherish the blessed memory of these wonderful and courageous people," the park's statement on Wednesday said.
"Sincere condolences to their families and friends.
"We believe that inhumans who have committed this will definitely be punished!"
