Fw: (AF) animal rescue team en route to Kabul Zoo

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" Jonathan Owen " <jonathanowen

" Jonathan Owen " <jonathanowen

Wednesday, 09 January, 2002 01:53

urgent news release: animal rescue team en route to Kabul Zoo

 

 

For immediate release: 8th January 2002

 

Press release

 

Rescue team to leave for Kabul in a mercy mission for the animal victims of

the conflict in Afghanistan

 

An animal disaster relief team from the World Society for the Protection of

Animals (WSPA) is set to leave London for Kabul tomorrow, in a mercy mission

for the animal victims of the conflict in Afghanistan. The initial

assessment team will be comprised of Gerardo Huertas and John Walsh, two of

WSPA's most experienced staff in dealing with animals in disasters.

 

The team will travel from London to Islamabad tomorrow, Wednesday 9th

January, and is due to arrive in Kabul the following day, Thursday 10th

January. One of their first priorities will be to address the problems of

the animals at Kabul Zoo, as well as undertaking an assessment of the wider

problems facing animals in Afghanistan. The team will be equipped to handle

animal first aid, which could include treating wounds and starving and

dehydrated animals.

 

A second WSPA team is due to follow the assessment team to Kabul next week.

This team will comprise three WSPA staff, including a vet with extensive

experience of treating animals in the aftermath of disasters. Depending on

the magnitude of the problem there may be further visits by subsequent

teams.

 

WSPA has already established a regular supply of food to all the animals in

Kabul zoo. However as an expert in the field of disaster relief WSPA is

aware that the animal suffering in Afghanistan is likely to extend outside

the zoo to livestock, draught animals and stray dogs.

 

John Walsh, WSPA international projects director, said, " The current crisis

in Afghanistan has become a terrible tragedy for the people of the region

and their animals. In situations like this, WSPA has a track record in

working to address the problems facing the livestock and pet animal

populations. During the previous conflict in Afghanistan, a WSPA team

visited the Kabul zoo and provided medical treatment for the animals there.

WSPA is committed to doing all it can to alleviate their suffering now. "

 

One of the world's largest animal protection charities, with over 400 member

societies in more than 90 countries, WSPA is the only animal welfare

organisation to have consultative status at the United Nations and the

Council of Europe.

 

-ends-

 

For interviews with members of WSPA's animal disaster relief team and/or

further information please contact:

Jonathan Owen, WSPA Press Office, 0207 587 5000 (mobile 07801 386670)