VIDEO: Lions from Gaza zoo transfered to Israel
A look inside the strange mission of transferring three lions from Gaza war hit zoo to a sanctuary in Jordan: 'This is the first time these lions are making the journey,' vet says.
The mission of transferring two lions and a pregnant lioness from Gaza's Bisan City Zoo to a zoo in Jordan through Israel is not easy task.
"It is not easy because we have to be at the border at a special time, and it's not easy as it's the first time these lions have this trip before them," said Dr. Amir Khalil, a senior vet for Four Paws, a international animal welfare organisation dedicated to helping animals in tough spots.
"I'm very happy that now we are here in Gaza, the mission will be now to carry the three lions and bring them to a wildlife sanctuary in Jordan called El-Mawa. Everything is running well but we are under huge time pressure," he said.
"I am very happy with all the cooperation with the authorities in the last weeks were able to come… and are very happy with the cooperation with the zoo… the zoo is not the proper place for such animal. They (the Gaza zoo) were also very happy to say: We will build something proper for Gaza and the children of Gaza."
The lions were being transferred after the 50 day Operation Protective Edge left the Bisan City Zoo in northern Gaza in adreadful state. Dozens of animals died during the seven-week conflict between Israel and Hamas and many suffered both physical and mental injuries.
Earlier this month, the organization announced its intention to send representatives to the Strip to start the rehabilitation of the zoo and save the surviving animals.
In September, a delegation on behalf of "Four Paws" arrived at the Gaza Strip to supply medicine, nutrition and water to the animals, about 20 in total. The head of the delegation, Dr. Amir Khalil, said he was shocked by the zoo's poor state.
"Most of the cages were badly damaged and animal carcasses were scattered all over the place. Very few animals managed to survive, among them the two lions and lioness who are currently in a state of trauma and fatigue," said Dr. Khalil.
