10 circus lions dying on Russian-Latvian border

Moscow, Feb 15 (IANS/RIA Novosti) About 10 lions are facing death due to cold and hunger on the Russian-Latvian border, as their documents are not filled correctly and Russian officials are not letting them through.

They belong to a Ukrainian animal-tamer Vladislav Goncharov.

"The vans with lions arrived from Monte-Carlo, where they participated in a festival. Their documents are filled in line with EU standards...for that reason, officials do not wish to let them through," said Maksim Nikulin, director of the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard in central Russia.

A performance involving Goncharov's lions was scheduled in the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard Feb 23.

The vans in which the lions are being transported are cold despite the fact that they are equipped with heating systems. The animals will soon run out of food, Nikulin continued.

"There are rare white lions among Goncarov's lions. No one will let them get back as they have crossed the border and the workers' visas have already expired," he added.

Russia's deputy agricultural minister Yevgeny Nepoklonov who could settle the problem is currently on a business trip and will arrive Friday.

"Only personal intervention can help now. They should understand that we will fill the documents correctly when we get entrance permission," Nikulin added.

--IANS/RIA Novosti