Fw: (AF) Kabul Zoo

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Courtesy: Herma Caelen

 

Fw: ANIMAL LOVERS POISED TO HELP ZOO'S TERROR VICTIMS

 

UKNewsroom 201750 NOV 10

 

By Tom Whitehead, PA News

 

Animal lovers in Britain are poised to help desperate animals in a stricken

Kabul zoo, including a one-eyed lion which survived a grenade attack.

 

Vets and animal welfare groups want to give much-needed support for the

small zoo in the Afghanistan capital after its animals suffered brutal

treatment at the hands of the Taliban.

 

Its courageous director, Sheragha Omar, appealed for help after working

tirelessly to keep the creatures alive under the Taliban regime despite

being given no support and ordered to sack his vet.

 

One vicious attack was on Marjan, a 45-year-old lion who lost an eye and

nearly died when an Afghan guerrilla threw a grenade in his pit.

 

The soldier was taking revenge after the lion killed his brother the

previous day when he climbed into the pit and started teasing the beast.

 

Other atrocities include a rocket-propelled grenade being fired at an

elephant for fun.

 

The zoo's animal population plummeted from 37 to 19 during the reign of

terror.

 

The World Society for the Protection of Animals, based in London, hopes to

supply aid, or even a vet, as soon as possible.

 

A spokeswoman said: " We are aware of the problems there and are poised to

offer support.

 

" We have already taken the decision to offer help. It is just a case of

sorting the best way to do that and deciding exactly what kind of support it

will be.

 

" We do have vets and animal centres around the world, so it is not

impossible to provide a vet, if that is the decision we take, or we may

equally provide money to buy feed for the animals.

 

" If the reports are true the attacks on the animals are appalling, mindless

acts of retribution. "

 

The Federation of British Zoos is writing to Environment Minister Michael

Meacher for a further assessment of the situation in Kabul.

 

Spokeswoman Mary Rosevear said: " We want to offer help but we need more

information before we can decide what to do.

 

" There has been reports about the situation in Kabul Zoo for a number of

years now and help is certainly something we would consider. "

 

The Federation said support could range from donations, aid or vets

travelling out to the country from a worldwide network.

 

A decision is expected within the next few days.

 

The International Zoo Veterinary Group, based in Keighley, West Yorkshire,

sends animal experts around the world and is liaising closely with the

Federation.

 

See also:

http://www.anc.org/wildlife/wildlife_article.cfm?identifier=112201_zoo