Baghdad Zoo Relief
04/17/2003
A statement released by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association named the North Carolina Zoo and the North Carolina Zoological Society to coordinate efforts to help animals caught in the war. North American zoo and aquarium professionals have also been in discussions with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), and other animal welfare organizations both here and in Europe regarding aid to Baghdad.”
Dr. David Jones is Director of the North Carolina Zoo, and has considerable experience working in the Middle East. “Through our network of people in the region, we can assist in getting funds, food and veterinary items into Baghdad,” said Dr. Jones. “It is imperative that we have reliable mechanisms in place for supporting this effort. As urgent as the need is for humanitarian aid, there is also the need to help animals that have been suffering during these times. As members of the international zoological community, we feel that this is where our expertise and efforts are best spent at this time.”
Those wishing to send a donation should send a check to: Aid to Iraq Animals c/o North Carolina Zoological Society 4403 Zoo Parkway Asheboro, NC 27205
“The people of the United States and Canada were very generous in supporting the animals of the Kabul Zoo in 2001, contributing nearly $500,000. At the moment we are gathering information about the animals in Baghdad, and what sort of aid they will need,” continued Butler. “According to our latest information, there may be several hundred exotic mammals and birds that need food, shelter and veterinary care. In order to be most effective, plans will be put into effect once we have assessed the situation to ascertain what help and supplies will be needed.”
Updates on the situation will be available at www.AZA.org, www.nczoo.org and www.nczoo.com as information is obtained. ***
Kabul Zoo Update In November 2001, the North Carolina Zoo and AZA began a fundraising drive for the Kabul Zoo. Over $350,000 was raised for the zoo, and an additional $150,000 for other animals affected by the war. Dr. David Jones has been overseeing progress on care and feeding of the animals, as well as reconstruction of the facilities devastated by warfare.) Nick Lindsay, Senior Curator with the London Zoo, and another member of his animal staff, visited the Kabul Zoo for two weeks in December 2002. Thanks to their efforts, repair work is well under way on many of the exhibits considered worth salvaging. Working with both the Kabul Zoo staff and Dr. Mohammed Ashraf, a senior official with the Mayhew Animal Home, Lindsay is discussing draft plans and drawings for reconstruction of more complex facilities, including primate, bear and other carnivore exhibits. Lindsay had planned to return to Kabul this month, but has been delayed by security measures resulting from the war in Iraq. Meanwhile, zoo experts have also been helping the Kabul staff develop their animal record system and a full-time education officer, former school teacher Mohammed Fazil, has been hired by the Kabul Zoo to begin developing programs for school children. These programs will focus on animal welfare instruction as well as animal biology. Overall, the Kabul Zoo site is looking much more organized, although the work is far from finished. But the Kabul staff is extremely eager to make the needed improvements and it is expected that most major renovations will be completed by the end of the year. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association was founded in 1924 and currently represents 212 accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. AZA’s mission is to support membership excellence in conservation, education, science and recreation. 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.
Dr. David Jones is Director of the North Carolina Zoo, and has considerable experience working in the Middle East. “Through our network of people in the region, we can assist in getting funds, food and veterinary items into Baghdad,” said Dr. Jones. “It is imperative that we have reliable mechanisms in place for supporting this effort. As urgent as the need is for humanitarian aid, there is also the need to help animals that have been suffering during these times. As members of the international zoological community, we feel that this is where our expertise and efforts are best spent at this time.”
Those wishing to send a donation should send a check to: Aid to Iraq Animals c/o North Carolina Zoological Society 4403 Zoo Parkway Asheboro, NC 27205
“The people of the United States and Canada were very generous in supporting the animals of the Kabul Zoo in 2001, contributing nearly $500,000. At the moment we are gathering information about the animals in Baghdad, and what sort of aid they will need,” continued Butler. “According to our latest information, there may be several hundred exotic mammals and birds that need food, shelter and veterinary care. In order to be most effective, plans will be put into effect once we have assessed the situation to ascertain what help and supplies will be needed.”
Updates on the situation will be available at www.AZA.org, www.nczoo.org and www.nczoo.com as information is obtained. ***
Kabul Zoo Update In November 2001, the North Carolina Zoo and AZA began a fundraising drive for the Kabul Zoo. Over $350,000 was raised for the zoo, and an additional $150,000 for other animals affected by the war. Dr. David Jones has been overseeing progress on care and feeding of the animals, as well as reconstruction of the facilities devastated by warfare.) Nick Lindsay, Senior Curator with the London Zoo, and another member of his animal staff, visited the Kabul Zoo for two weeks in December 2002. Thanks to their efforts, repair work is well under way on many of the exhibits considered worth salvaging. Working with both the Kabul Zoo staff and Dr. Mohammed Ashraf, a senior official with the Mayhew Animal Home, Lindsay is discussing draft plans and drawings for reconstruction of more complex facilities, including primate, bear and other carnivore exhibits. Lindsay had planned to return to Kabul this month, but has been delayed by security measures resulting from the war in Iraq. Meanwhile, zoo experts have also been helping the Kabul staff develop their animal record system and a full-time education officer, former school teacher Mohammed Fazil, has been hired by the Kabul Zoo to begin developing programs for school children. These programs will focus on animal welfare instruction as well as animal biology. Overall, the Kabul Zoo site is looking much more organized, although the work is far from finished. But the Kabul staff is extremely eager to make the needed improvements and it is expected that most major renovations will be completed by the end of the year. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association was founded in 1924 and currently represents 212 accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. AZA’s mission is to support membership excellence in conservation, education, science and recreation. 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.