Contact: Jane Ballentine
May 1, 2002 Telephone: (301) 562-0777 x252
Preliminary Report From Kabul Zoo Documents Improving Conditions
SILVER SPRING, MD – During a recent six-day visit to the Kabul Zoo in Afghanistan, British veterinarian John Lewis and Senior
Curator of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Nick Lindsay continued the work begun last November to aid the zoo. The trip,
which spanned from April 8th to April 14th, included examinations of the water supply to the zoo, the animals, and their food sources.
Prior to their visit, Afghan nationals Dr. Ehsan Arghandewal and Taufik Nuri, both currently on staff at the Cologne Zoo in Germany,
spent several weeks at the zoo. Dr. Arghandewal is the former Dean of the Science Faculty at Kabul University who fled Afghanistan
when the Taliban came to power. Nuri is the former head keeper at the Kabul Zoo, and was therefore very familiar with the site.
These two men began negotiations with Kabul University and city authorities on arrangements for the long-term future of the zoo.
The Kabul Zoo came to the attention of zoo experts worldwide last year when the media in Afghanistan reported on the dilapidated
conditions and suffering animals, most notably the zoo’s now-deceased lion, Marjan. Beginning in November of 2001 over $400,000
was raised to support the Kabul Zoo under the leadership of Dr. David Jones, director of the North Carolina Zoo. This trip was part
of the continuing international effort of zoo experts to use those funds to improve the conditions at the Kabul Zoo. Following are
highlights of Lindsay’s preliminary report of the work done during this recent visit:
* A fresh water supply was established using a holding tank and water deliveries. This will be replaced later by connection to a spring
at the edge of the zoo premises.
* Preparations have been made for the drilling of a bore hole in the zoo grounds for a longer term, secure water supply.
* Lewis successfully anesthetized the bear, Samboo, on April 10th. He treated Samboo’s injured nose and mouth topically and took
deep biopsies for examination in the United Kingdoms. The procedure went very well and the bear’s recovery was good. She
remains on anti-biotic therapy.
* The team secured and commissioned a deep freeze with a capacity to take at least two weeks of meat supply. This will save funds
and ensure better meat quality. It has a voltage stabilizer and can cope with the usual power failures of Kabul.
* A new sign will be made for the entrance stating that the Municipality of Kabul, with the support of the World Association of Zoos
and Aquaria (WAZA), is redeveloping the Zoo.
* An agreement was made and funds established for the provision of all animal feed for April and May. Realistically, this should last
until Mid-June, when additional funds will be sent.
* At a separate meeting with the Director of Culture arrangements were made for him to discuss the employment of an Education
Officer to train zoo staff and act as an educator for the visitors. Over a ten-day period, 2202 people paid to visit the zoo. Lewis
noted that it is currently “the biggest school in Afghanistan.”
* Dr. Jones will represent AZA in chairing a meeting of the main parties involved in the planning and rebuilding of the Kabul zoo
scheduled for June 10 in Cologne, Germany.
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.
The American Zoo and Aquarium Association was founded in 1924 and currently represents 205 accredited zoos and aquariums in
North America. AZA's mission is to support membership excellence in conservation, education, science and recreation.
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