The last remaining animals at the Montazah Al-Morour Zoo in Eastern Mosul, Iraq, have received medical help and food from a FOUR PAWS rapid response team.
The charity came to the aid of a lion and a bear in a desperate condition, with debris littering their cages.
Many animals had already been killed by a bomb. Others including tropical birds, monkeys and rabbits, escaped from their damaged cages. Three bear cubs were eaten by predators or died of starvation.
The FOUR PAWS team, led by Dr. Amir Khalil, entered the city on Tuesday morning.
According to Khalil, FOUR PAWS is the first animal welfare organisation to receive permission to enter the war torn city.
The front line has now moved away from the zoo. But, the risk of terrorist attacks in that part of Mosul is still high. Khalil reported hearing missile blasts in the remote parts of the city. Once the animals had been fed and treated, the team had to leave the city before dark.
Local volunteers are helping to care for the animals. FOUR PAWS donated four weeks’ worth of food and medical supplies for the two animals.
Khalil said that although both animals were in poor condition he is hopeful that they will recover.
Image of lion being treated by FOUR PAWS vet, Khan Younis zoo, in southern Gaza, courtesy FOUR PAWS
https://www.vier-pfoten.org/ en/news-press/press-archive/ four-paws-press-releases-2017/ 20170222/-
