Kabul, Afghanistan-Amid an eerie landscape of unexploded bombs and leveled buildings, the resilient animals of the Kabul Zoo are beginning the long road to recovery. "Most of the animals are in poor health due to prolonged periods of inadequate and insufficient food," reported WSPA's Jonathon Pearce. Pearce is currently in Afghanistan as part of WSPA's disaster relief team that is stabilizing the health of animals at the zoo and throughout the city that have been affected by the war.

Sadly, WSPA's rescuers were unable to save Marjan, the famous lion of the Kabul Zoo, who succumbed to chronic liver and kidney failure on Saturday, January 26th. However, they were able to make his last weeks comfortable and peaceful. An indoor heater and lighting protected him from the harsh winter temperatures, and vitamin injections, painkillers and antibiotics temporarily helped to alleviate the symptoms caused by years of malnourishment.

"Marjan was old, ailing and brave, and that's why people respected him," said WSPA International Project Director John Walsh. Walsh is in Afghanistan helping to coordinate WSPA's animal rescue efforts at the zoo, and had worked to help Marjan on an earlier mission in 1995. As news of his death spread, Marjan's many admirers gathered at the zoo to bid him farewell. Marjan was buried at the zoo on Monday, January 28th.

The zoo's only remaining bear, Donatella, is suffering from an infection on her nose that is exacerbated when she rubs it against the bars of her small and barren cage. Dr. Murillo has prescribed a course of penicillin and an anti-fungal medication that is slipped into her food. "Despite all her hardships, she is one of the friendliest bears I have ever met," commented Dr. Murillo. In the near future, WSPA's team will relocate Donatella to a new enclosure complete with trees, rocks, and a pool/moat. The team has also been working on zoo-wide problems such as the lack of electricity and running water, which should be restored shortly. A carpenter has been added to the zoo staff and has been hard at work constructing perches and nest boxes for the birds of prey. The two remaining porcupines are happy to munch on and sleep in the new logs that have been added to their cage, and two wolves will soon be released into a wooded enclosure where they are expected to do well.

WSPA's John Walsh is coordinating much of the improvements at the zoo. "I think we've begun to turn the tide. The health of the animals is really improving, and the atmosphere at the zoo is good. However, we're really still just supplying a band-aid and it will take prolonged support to ensure these animals don't slip into decline again. After WSPA has sorted out the immediate dangers, I believe the international zoo community will be ready to do this." WSPA has received offers of assistance and funding for its work in Afghanistan from its member societies as well as other organizations throughout the world, such as the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).

Additionally, WSPA has established a relationship with four existing veterinary centers in Kabul and has begun supplying them with thousands of dollars of supplies and medicines. These clinics will help treat the thousands of working donkeys and horses in and around the city. So far, WSPA has concentrated its efforts in Kabul, as authorities have advised that travel outside the city limits is still extremely dangerous.

If you can help, please make a contribution to WSPA's Animal Rescue Fund. Thank you.