Gesa Power House Theatre proudly presents CHECKPOINT ZOO on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 7PM.
Checkpoint Zoo documents a daring rescue led by a heroic team of zookeepers and volunteers who risked their lives to save thousands of animals trapped in a zoo behind enemy lines during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, starting the worst war Europe has seen in over 50 years. In the early days of the invasion, some of the fiercest fighting was on the outskirts of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second – largest city. On one side was the advancing Russian Army, on the other side the
defending Ukrainian Army. And in between them was a zoo… called Feldman Ecopark.
More than just a sanctuary for animals, Feldman Ecopark offered countless community programs from animal therapy to charity events for children with special needs. It was a cultural center for Kharkiv’s 1.4 million citizens, unfortunately positioned less than 30 kilometers from the Russian border. When the invasion started, Kharkiv turned into a battleground, and the staff was forced to flee Ecopark, leaving 5,000 animals trapped in between the Russian and Ukrainian frontlines. Both sides were firing on each other, and everything that fell short landed in Feldman Ecopark. But that wasn’t enough to stop several brave zookeepers from venturing back into the park time and time again to continue caring for the surviving animals. When two zookeepers were killed, four
volunteers appeared on Feldman’s doorstep, ready to help in any way they could.
As the war continued, and the shelling increased, it was clear that even the incredible bravery of the zoo staff wouldn’t be enough to save the animals. The zoo’s founder, Oleksandr Feldman, posted a desperate plea to social media asking for help. Miraculously, the post went viral, and zoos from across Ukraine and all of Europe volunteered to house the remaining animals.
Encouraged by the response, the zoo staff and these volunteers resolved to do the impossible – they would sneak back into Feldman Ecopark and evacuate thousands of animals, including many dangerous predators, and bring them to safety. In doing so, they put themselves in incredible danger, risking their lives to save innocent animals.
Working from footage captured by the zookeepers, volunteers, news media, and himself on his own trip to Ukraine, filmmaker Joshua Zeman tells the moving, suspenseful, and powerful story of these real – life heroes. The film details the initial attack, the efforts to continue tending to the trapped animals, the hair – raising evacuation, and tragically, the price these volunteers paid to do the right thing.
The zookeepers and volunteers of Checkpoint Zoo show us the absolute best of humanity at a time when it is all too easy to focus on the worst. In the face of violence, destruction, and cruelty, this film is a testament to the power of compassion, empathy, and sacrifice.
This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission.
Reserved tickets will be available for $15 ($10 for students) on August 15th, either online or via the Box Office at 509-529-6500. Want to receive early notice and access to ticket sales? Join the +Power Club (highest priority) or sign up for our email list (at the bottom of this page)!
