(CN) Animals envoys of friendship to Afghans

[Guest guest]

China Daily

http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2002-07-12/77643.html

(XIN DINGDING)

07/12/2002

 

A batch of animals with an estimated value of nearly 1 million yuan

(US$120,500) will be sent by two Chinese organizations to Afghanistan's

Kabul Zoo as symbols of friendship and to bring joy to the local people.

According to an agreement signed in China on Wednesday by the China Wildlife

Conservation Association and the Embassy of the Interim Administration of

Afghanistan, the animals include two lions, two bears, a wolf, two deer, two

peacocks and other animals. They are expected to be sent to Afghanistan as

early as August.

 

Provided by Beijing Badaling Safari World, the animals, mostly in couples,

are expected to breed babies and take root in the war-ravaged nation.

 

After Marjon, the one-eyed and only lion in Kabul Zoo, died at the age of 38

in February, Beijing Badaling Safari World and China Wildlife Conservation

Association expressed their wish to donate two lions to the zoo in the

capital of the war-ravaged nation.

 

The good wish was welcomed by the Embassy of the Interim Administration of

Afghanistan in China, which later expressed hope of seeing more animals

donated to Kabul Zoo.

 

To foster friendship between the Chinese and Afghan people, and in order to

bring happiness to Afghan children, Safari World decided to make a free

donation of animals and fulfil the embassy's hopes.

 

According to Safari World's deputy manager Wang Wei, a successful donation

demands exit permits, quarantine approvals, and funds for shipping.

 

So far, Safari World has obtained all necessary exit permits for the

animals. In the following days, the animals will undergo the necessary

quarantine process - which usually takes 30 days - and then make the trip to

Afghanistan in early August.

 

According to the agreement, the animals will be handed over to Afghanistan

in Urumqi.

 

" The animals will first be shipped to Urumqi by train and then be sent to

Kabul by air, " said Li Jing, a staff member with Badaling Safari World.

 

An animal keeper will also go with the animals to attend to them during the

trip and work at Kabul Zoo for one month to help the animals adjust.