Ukrainian customs officers have held a truck carrying 20 camels from Russia`s Far East to a zoo in Bulgaria at the border for the last five days, a Russian customs press officer said on Wednesday, according to RIA Novosti.
According to the press officer, on January 31, a truck loaded with 20 camels from the Russian republic of Kalmykia was stopped by Ukrainian customs officials after crossing the Russian border.
"[Russian] customs agents checked all of the documents and cleared the truck containing the animals to leave Russia," he said. "However, the truck was not allowed into Ukrainian territory."
He said the decision had been taken in connection with laws prohibiting the transit of animals through Ukraine "in line with the struggle against African swine fever."
The press officer also added that the situation had been complicated by the fact that the camels had already been cleared by Russian officials, and "if they are returned [to Russia], then they will have to be processed all over again."
"Because of this situation, the question of transiting the animals through Turkey is now being looked into. If we reach an agreement, then the camels will be sent to the port of Novorossiisk [on the Black Sea]," he said.
He also said that the current temperature at the border crossing was just below freezing. However, hay and water have been brought in for the animals.
