Dear Valued Donor:
Thank you, again, for your support of the reconstruction of the Kabul
Zoo and the care of the zoo's animals. An update follows on the Funds'
financial information, reconstruction progress and other items that
might be of interest to you concerning Kabul, Afghanistan.
Financial Update (March 18, 2004):
Kabul Zoo Fund donations: $416,615
Kabul Zoo Fund spent: $185, 250
Remaining Fund balance: $231,365
Afghan Animal Fund donations: $135,913
Afghan Animal Fund spent: $80,044
Remaining Fund balance: $55,869
Reconstruction and Animal Care Update:
The Kabul zoo staff continues to work through the reconstruction of
major exhibits. A team from the London Zoo including Nick Lindsay and
veterinarian John Lewis, has landed safely in Kabul to begin a long
agenda. They will return to London on the 25th with a full report. The
initial reaction after their arrival was positive.
While Mr. Lindsay inspects and signs off on the zoo reconstruction to
date, Dr. Lewis is assessing animal welfare. Dr. Lewis will sterilize
most of the Kabul Zoo's male animals on this trip. Also, Mr. Lindsay
and Dr. Lewis will make decisions about the future operation of the zoo
including staffing, training and education. They are considering the
formation of a multidisciplinary committee to oversee the zoo's
operation. The London Zoo team will inspect the training clinic for the
Veterinary school that the Afghan Animal Fund helped build and support.
As soon as Mr. Lindsay and Dr. Lewis return from Afghanistan, they will
send to us a full, detailed assessment. This specific accounting of the
action taken to date and funds spent will follow in our next update.
With worldwide attention focused on the starvation and the decimation
of Kabul Zoo's animals, you and donors across the globe gave more than
$500,000 through the North Carolina Zoo Society to rebuild the Kabul
Zoo and provide veterinary care to Afghanistan's zoo and domestic
animals. The progress made to date is the product of your generousity.
A Special Invitation
One person moved by the plight of animals in Afghanistan was Texas
artist/sculptor, Bob Coffee. He used his art to express admiration for
the courage of one symbolic figure, Marjan, the African Lion housed in
the Kabul Zoo. Marjan was an early victim of the Taliban's cruelty. The
blind and battered lion came to mirror the suffering that is part of
any war. His strength helped restore our compassion. After Marjan's
death in early 2002, Coffee cast his sculpture and offered to donate
this artwork as a tribute.
The bronze sculpture memorializing Marjan will be publicly dedicated at
the North Carolina Zoo on Saturday, March 27th at 11 a.m., with Bob
Coffee in attendance. This sculpture will be on temporary loan to the
North Carolina Zoo, sitting on the pathway at the Cato Patas Monkey
Island Exhibit. The bronze will find its permanent home in Afghanistan
at the Kabul Zoo later this year.
We invite you to consider a visit to the North Carolina Zoo, March 27th, for the dedication of the bronze sculpture
Marjan Lion of Kabul
by Bob Coffee. If you are unable to attend the dedication, consider a
visit while the sculpture is on display at the North Carolina Zoo.
Thank you again for your support.
Sincerely,
Russell H. Williams
Executive Director
