Not many people are talking about the 15 animals left at a zoo in Khan Younis. Some rescuers are refusing to give up on them.
The zoo — also known as South Forest Park. Opened with 65 animals in 2007. It earned the reputation of being the worst zoo in the world when news broke that mummified dead animals were being displayed alongside live ones.
But Four Paws International, an animal advocacy group, has been organizing trips to send much-needed supplies to the live zoo animals who still await their liberation. They were first granted entry to the region in April of last year.
Last week, a team was dispatched to figure out a solution for the remaining animals. The owner of the zoo sold off some of them because he couldn’t afford to take care of them anymore.
“A long-term solution must be found for the animals as soon as possible,” Dr. Amir Khalil, leader of the emergency mission in Gaza, wrote in a statement. “We’re going to give the animals medical treatment and check the enclosures for safety.”
Rescuers are hard at work trying to figure out a long-term solution for the 15 animals left there.
One of the animals left behind in the worst zoo on earth is Laziz, the last tiger in all of Gaza. Laziz is the last surviving tiger at the Khan Younis Zoo, and the only tiger in Gaza.
“All these animals are somewhat neglected and urgently need medical care.” the organization wrote on June 10. The team was “able to enter Gaza yesterday and intends to stay there until the end of the week to thoroughly evaluate the situation on the ground.”
Four Paws has been successful in a number of tricky missions like this in the past. For example, in September 2014, the organization transferred three lions from the damaged Al-Bisan Zoo in the Gaza strip to a rescue center in Jordon.
While it’s still uncertain what the future holds for these animals in Khan Younis. The the zoo is accepting help from Four Paws & that is a glimmer of hope.