Remember? This is the group I mentioned a few weeks ago, along with John Walsh (who probably did my a favor by refusing me a job). Wonder how Omar the Lion is holding up.

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/008/world/Animal_protection_group_to_hel:.shtml

Animal protection group to help save Kabul zoo in Afghanistan

By Associated Press, 1/8/2002 17:07

LONDON (AP) An animal protection group is sending a team to Afghanistan on Thursday to help the few survivors at Kabul's long-neglected zoo, including Marjan, the one-eyed lion.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals will also assess the situation of other animals in the country, including livestock and stray dogs.

Kabul's zoo was trashed long ago by warring Afghan factions. Most of the animals have died and others are suffering from years of neglect and, in some cases, abuse.

The World Society is already providing a regular supply of food to the few remaining animals at the zoo, which include a bear, wolves and monkeys, as well as Marjan.

The lion lost an eye when an Afghan guerrilla threw a grenade into its cage and the lion, expecting food, pounced on it.

The animal experts, who will be equipped to provide animal first aid, will be led by Gerard Huertas and John Walsh, two of the organization's most experienced staff.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Answers

Why did we think the lion's name was Omar?

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/013/world/International_group_looks_to _l:.shtml

International group looks to lessen the suffering at Kabul Zoo

By Karen Sloan, Associated Press, 1/13/2002 16:51

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) The little black bear at the Kabul Zoo is going to get some rocks and that's a big improvement in life at the shabby and miserable facility.

Years of war, neglect and abuse have left the zoo in a ramshackle state. Many of its fenced-in habitats are empty, and the few animals that are visible are in cages in the center of the zoo.

John Walsh, a senior staff member from the World Society for the Protection of Animals, took a tour of the facility Sunday to assess what needs to be done in the zoo rehabilitation effort that the group is coordinating.

One of his top concerns was the bear, whose nose is an open wound the result of Taliban visitors tormenting him with sticks, according to zoo director Sheraga Omar.

The bear has aggravated the wound by rubbing his snout against the bars of his cage and Walsh said giving him something to do other than pace the small enclosure is a critical element of his treatment plan because if he's bored and nervous he'll continue to rub the nose no matter how it's treated.

So the group plans to move the bear to one of the empty habitats where ''there's a lot of environmental stimulation, there's branches and trees and we're going to put in stumps and rocks and feed him that way, so he'll be active all day long ... while he's healing,'' Walsh said.

Also of high concern is the zoo's most famous resident, Marjan the one-eyed lion. In the 1990s, an Afghan guerrilla showing off for his friends jumped over the guard rail into Marjan's den and the lion killed him; the next day, the victim's brother threw a grenade into the cage and the explosion took out the lion's eye.

The lion now has trouble getting around and didn't come out of his cage into the den on Sunday.

''We're going to put a ramp up because of course he's blind,'' Walsh said. ''Also, we've got to get some kind of heat in Marjan's cage.''

''The symbol of the suffering of this country has been exhibited in that animal,'' he said.

Aside from the bear and the lion, the zoo has some monkeys, jackals, rabbits and birds of prey in total about 120 animals of 20 species, about half the number of species the zoo had during its prime.

The few animals suffer from malnutrition, neglect and abuse.

''The staff hadn't been paid in six months ... they'd only come in, spend a few hours, and go off,'' Walsh said. ''As a result, people were wandering through the zoo. Kids were throwing stones at the animals, they were hitting them through the bars with sticks.''

Once the Taliban fled Afghanistan, the zoo's desperation became widely known and fund-rising efforts for its rescue began in many countries.

Walsh's group now will be able to pay the zoo staff's back wages and two flights loaded with food and veterinary supplies are expected later in the week.

Zoos around the world have raised about $400,000 for construction of a new zoo for the Afghan capital, he said.

''We are happy that these brothers are here and that they want to help us,'' sad Omar, the zoo director.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

I posted this on Lucianne, along with a really KEYOOOT pic of the lion. Somebody posted something about, "Yeah, they care more about this lion than they do about the future of their children." Huh? I swear, half the people who post over there are from another site we know.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Git, maybe you could find a picture of John Walsh to post for helen. He was quite a hunk at one time.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

No hunky pic that I could find, sorry.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002