N.C. Zoo Director Dr. David Jones just received some very encouraging news from Afghanistan. The Chinese have agreed to table their offer to send animals to the Kabul Zoo.
Thanks to the combined efforts of a number of organizations-the World Society for the Protection of Animals, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, the European Zoo Association, the N.C. Zoo, the Cologne Zoo and the Meyhew Home for Animals and others-the Chinese sent a delegation to the Kabul Zoo yesterday, and these people determined that the zoo was not ready to accept additional animals.
More good news comes from Kabul University, which will soon take over responsibility for administering the Kabul Zoo. A Memorandum of Understanding has now been signed that transfers the Zoo's administration from the city of Kabul to the zoology department at the University. Dr. Ehsan Argandewal, an Afghani citizen and zoologist who was educated at Kabul University, a former employee of the Kabul Zoo and a current employee of the Cologne Zoo, has returned to Kabul and will plan the Zoo's administration, most likely as the head of the university's zoology department.
On August 25, Professor Gunter Nogge of the Cologne Zoo will return to Kabul to meet with the newly reformed Committee for Zoological Projects, which will hold its first meeting after his arrival. The group will take up the job of forming a long-term plan for the Zoo.
The Mayhew Home for Animals continues to take responsibility for feeding the animals and visiting regularly to oversee their care. The Mayhew, with our help, has also agreed to refurbish Kabul University's Field Veterinary Clinic and, with funding from our donors, the Brooke Hospital for animals will establish a presence in this clinic to offer veterinary services to Equines.
In addition, the Brooke Hospital for Animals, with funding through the Zoo Society, is preparing to set up its first mobile clinic inside Afghanistan. The clinic will operate out of Jalalabad, a city halfway between Kabul and the Pakistan boarder.
Sambu the bear continues to improve but slowly. The German Army sends a veterinarian to the Kabul Zoo daily to treat Sambu, and the veterinarians have assured us that the infection is steadily getting better. These veterinarians try to apply medication to Sambu's infection daily, but cannot always gain her cooperation in accepting treatment. On days when she does not cooperate, the veterinarians must carefully weigh the risks of skipping a day of medications against the risks of anesthetizing her to apply the medication. Veterinarians are considering the possibility of constructing a chute or otherwise modifying Sambu's new enclosure to make it easier to capture her on a daily basis. Should they decide to make these or similar changes to improve Sambu's care, the Zoo Society will draw on your donations to the Kabul Zoo Fund to support these changes.
Some of you may have read an Associated Press article in your local papers quoting the Kabul Zoo Director as "not having seen all the money raised in America". Of course, we do not just send money to Kabul. Its use is closely controlled by our contacts and partners there and it is only sent in fairy small amounts as needed. Rest assured though that everything is being done that can be done with your funds and that we continue to control and monitor that expenditure carefully.
Again, we want to thank all of our donors for their compassion and their generosity in providing for the needs of these animals. We thank you, too, for the patience you have shown as we work with other organizations around the globe to bring peace to these animals and hope to the people of Kabul. As the Cologne Zoo establishes a permanent presence in Kabul, we hope to see a surge of new programs that provide more protection for the animals, professional training for the keepers and stronger educational messages for the visitors. Keep visiting our site (nczoo.com) for regular updates.
