Fw: FYI: Kabul Zoo

[Guest guest]

FW: FYI: Kabul ZooFYI .... Jane Dewar

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jane Ballentine (AZA)

12 July 2002

(301)562-0777x 252

Rod Hackney (NC Zoo)

 

(336)879-7204

 

 

AZA AGAINST ADDING ANIMALS TO KABUL ZOO

 

SILVER SPRING, MD - The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and the

North Carolina Zoo today strongly criticized plans by some to send animals to

the war-ravaged Kabul Zoo in Afghanistan. " For those of us trying to help with

the existing situation at the Kabul Zoo, this is not welcome news, " Dr. David

Jones, director of the North Carolina Zoo and AZA's liaison to the World

Association of Zoos and Aquarium's Kabul Zoo project. " We have made some

progress in providing properly for the animals that have survived the war, but

the Kabul Zoo is in no condition whatsoever to take on additional animals. We

have barely scratched the surface of what needs to be accomplished before

animals are added to the collection. It's still not easy for the staff to

provide for the few animals that they have, and to bring in more now would

simply complicate and delay the rehabilitation efforts. "

 

Late last year, the plight of the animals at the Kabul Zoo made international

headlines. Dr. Jones offered to take on fundraising efforts on behalf of the

AZA, and over $530,000 was raised in less than 8 weeks for the zoo and other

Afghan animals. Since that time, progress has been made at the Zoo in

establishing a stable supply of food, water and veterinary care. The staff was

paid all back wages, and the international zoological community is committed to

helping the zoo regain its stature as the national centre for environmental

education of Afghanistan. So far, approximately $70,000 has been spent on the

zoo and its immediate needs. " It would be absolutely counterproductive to our

continued progress rebuilding the zoo to have to spend these donated funds on

new mouths to feed, " continued Jones. " That is not what our donors intended.

During our recent planning meeting in Cologne, Germany, we outlined plans for

the next two years, which is the minimum amount of time it will take to restore

the zoo. Kabul Zoo needs to secure stable financing for its future before

making plans to bring in animals appropriate for their collection. Finding new

animals, once the zoo is refurbished will not be a problem. "

 

The recommendation to the Afghan authorities is that the Zoo continue to focus

on the wildlife of Afghanistan and the immediate region. The original purpose

of the Zoo was to show representative examples of the varied Afghan fauna, to

build an education program around Afghan wildlife at all levels, to promote

proper care of animals and an interest in the conservation and wildlife

management of key areas in the country, to provide an associated scientific

facility to the University and to recreate a pleasant, recreational park-like

atmosphere for the people of Kabul.

 

During this strategic planning meeting, it was agreed that Cologne Zoo, acting

on behalf of the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (WAZA), would lead the

continued international

 

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Kabul Zoo, page 2

 

 

 

zoo efforts because of its longstanding relationship with Kabul Zoo and Kabul

University. This cooperation will take place under a recently signed Memorandum

of Understanding (MOU) and should result in the restoration of the zoo through

the implementation of modern zoo practices in accordance with the World Zoo

Conservation Strategy.

 

On 2 July 2002, Professor Gunther Nogge, the Director of Cologne Zoo, met the

Afghan Minister for Higher Education, Dr. Fayez, in Bonn, Germany, to sign the

Memorandum of Understanding on the restoration of Kabul Zoo and on the revival

of the traditional affiliation between Kabul and Cologne Zoo. With the MOU now

in place, the development of a Masterplan will be undertaken and reconstruction

work started as soon as possible.

 

" I cannot stress enough that the international zoological community wants what

is best for the Kabul Zoo. Unfortunately, taking in new animals and having to

provide appropriate care for them without adequate facilities is not in the best

interest of the Zoo, " concluded Dr. Jones. " We hope to persuade both the Afghan

and Chinese authorities to delay this generous gift until the restoration of the

Kabul Zoo is complete. "

 

The North Carolina Zoological Park is an agency of the N.C. Department of

Environment and Natural Resources and an accredited member institution of AZA.

 

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association was founded in 1924 and currently

represents 205 accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. AZA's mission is

to support membership excellence in conservation, education, science and

recreation.

 

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