UPDATE: Kabul Zoo

Kabul Update
On June 9 and 10, N.C. Zoo Director Dr. David Jones chaired a meeting at the Cologne Zoo (Köln Zoo) in Germany to plan for the future needs of the Kabul Zoo. Panel members were selected to represent the professional and the ethical interests of the international zoo community and because of their personal knowledge of the history and the status of the Kabul Zoo. The attending panel members were: Gunter Nogge (Cologne Zoo), Ehsan Argandewal (Cologne Zoo and Kabul University), Olivia Walter (United Kingdom Federation of Zoos), Peter Dollinger (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums), Nick Lindsay, (Zoological Society of London) and Tawfik Nuri (former Head Keeper, Kabul Zoo). In addition to chairing the meeting, Dr. Jones represented the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

Historical Review
The meeting began with a slide presentation that clarified the Kabul Zoo's early ties with the Science Faculty at Kabul University and documented the devastation the war inflicted on the zoo. The original mission of the Kabul Zoo's founders-to promote the scientific understanding and the conservation of Afghanistan's wildlife and wild places-was reviewed and reaffirmed as the overriding mission of the emerging Kabul Zoo.

Panel members then began formulating goals for the Kabul Zoo and procedures for allocating funds that have been raised to help it. The panel agreed that the primary focus of these funds must be directed toward satisfying the short- and long-term welfare and husbandry needs of the Kabul Zoo's current animal collection.

Current Funding Status
To date, private donors have contributed $560,000 (USD) to help animals in Afghanistan. Of this total, the vast majority of the funding ($531,964) was donated to two funds established by the North Carolina Zoological Society. The N.C. Zoo Society's Kabul Zoo Fund has received $400,190 and the Society's Afghan Animal Fund has raised $131,774. The Afghan Animal Fund was established to underwrite general animal welfare programs in Afghanistan, including projects that would provide: a) veterinary care to domestic animals (particularly horses, donkeys and dogs); b) protect free-ranging wildlife and c), if necessary, assist zoo animals.

To date, approximately $70,000 has been spent to assist the Kabul Zoo and provide for its animals ($65,000 of these dollars came from the N.C. Zoo Society's Kabul Zoo Fund) and $30,000 (all of these dollars came from the Society's Afghan Animal Fund) has been spent to support animal welfare projects for domestic animals in Kabul.

While funding to the Kabul Zoo has addressed many needs (providing zoo facilities with food, water and electrical supplies; funding employee salaries and exhibit repairs; etc.), money from the Afghan Animal Fund has primarily addressed problems related to stray dogs in Kabul and re-established veterinary clinics in the city early in the year.

Authority in Kabul
At present, Kabul's City Municipality and the Office of the Mayor oversee most of the administration of the Kabul Zoo. The Directors of Planning and Culture also contribute to zoo management. Our panel recommended a change in this administration that would give the Science Faculty at Kabul University authority over the zoo. Afghanistan's interim government received a formal proposal requesting this change, and the panel is hopeful that Afghanistan's recently established transitional government will address this issue shortly.

Mission of the Kabul Zoo
Our panel unanimously recommended that the Kabul Zoo adopt the following mission: 1) to educate people about Afghanistan's wildlife and contribute to wildlife conservation and management in key parts of the country; 2) to collaborate with the University of Kabul to promote scientific understanding of this wildlife; and 3) to provide a humane and interesting recreational setting where the people of Kabul can interact with wildlife.

Masterplan
The group determined that, given Afghanistan's current political situation, a responsible funding strategy must limit capital investments to projects that re-establish structures that currently exist at the Kabul Zoo. Consequently, the proposed masterplan recommends limiting the animal species exhibited at the Kabul Zoo to those animal species listed in the zoo's original exhibition plan. Further, the proposed masterplan limits building projects to those that will, as far as possible, refurbish, rebuild and/or expand existing exhibits to meet modern, acceptable expectations concerning animal welfare and husbandry.

The Cologne Zoo agreed to lead the planning and the implementation of these projects once the proper authorities, including those from the Kabul Zoo and Kabul University, sign a Memorandum of Understanding acknowledging Cologne's role in the reconstruction processes and its authority to assume this role with the full backing from the international zoo community.

Memorandum of Understanding
Panel members are drafting a Memorandum of Understanding. Initially, the memorandum will call for clearing most of the rubble from the Kabul Zoo, replacing most existing buildings, repairing a few of the simpler structures and extending power and water supplies beyond their present reach.

Priorities
The panel agreed to direct currently-available funds toward providing care, services and acceptable facilities for the animals already living on the site. The panel did acknowledge that, in the future, these facilities can house animals of the same or similar species that will be brought in to replace the animals living in the Kabul Zoo now.

Timing
Ideally, the Kabul Zoo will resume an official relationship with the University of Kabul within a month. It is hoped that this relationship will provide the Kabul Zoo with communication access to the Ministry of Higher Education and, if applicable, the mayor of Kabul. Once the proper authorities approve a Memorandum of Understanding, the Cologne Zoo will begin its work.

A timeline of two years was set to plan, negotiate and complete construction work at the Kabul Zoo. Presently, the international zoo community is establishing procedures to ensure its regular communication with the Kabul Zoo and to provide oversight to zoo construction and fund allocation. A major goal is to assure Afghan authorities of the international zoo community's long-term commitment to overseeing and funding these changes.

The Mayhew Animal Home from North London, which has had a staff member living in Afghanistan, has agreed to continue paying for animal food for the Kabul Zoo's animals, and will continue to help monitor the disposition of the animals and the activities taking place at the Zoo. In addition, two dedicated staff members from the United Nations will continue to visit the Zoo regularly to provide oversight to the conditions and changes taking place.

As the political situation in Kabul stabilizes, Ehsan Argandewal (Cologne Zoo and Kabul University) and Nick Lindsay (Zoological Society of London) plan to return to Kabul to help secure signatures for the Memorandum of Understanding and to reaffirm the zoo community's commitment to a long-term relationship with the Kabul Zoo.

Status of Sambu
Keepers and veterinary staff remain concerned about an infection in the bear Sambu's nose and mouth. At present, a German military veterinary team is treating the bear and will be visiting her daily to oversea her treatment. She is being monitored carefully to determine if she needs additional or alternate treatments. If these are needed, steps will be taken to provide whatever care she needs.

Sambu's health ranks as a major concern to all of the people who are working to help the Kabul Zoo. The Zoo Society wants to assure the many donors to this project that Sambu is receiving the best care possible and that everything that can be done to help her recover will be done.

As a final note, some of your may have seen a National Geographic program entitled Kabul Zoo Rescue that was aired this past week on the National Geographic channel. You can take great pride in knowing that the funds you and others donated to the N.C. Zoo Society's Kabul Zoo Fund paid for 90 percent of the rescue work, services and changes that were depicted on that program. More has been done since the program was filmed, of course, but you can all feel very proud of what your donations are accomplishing.

Your gifts made a world of difference to the animals in Afghanistan and your compassion and generosity speak volumes about the goodness that lives in the hearts of people from around the world. Thank You!