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Gaza Zoo: Heartbreaking pictures of animals killed and injured in the crossfire

IT’S a war which has killed hundreds and injured thousands more. But people aren’t the only casualties in this deadly conflict. WARNING: Graphic images.

STAFF WRITERS
2 min read
September 2, 2014 - 2:20PM

IT’S a war which has killed hundreds of people and injured thousands more.

But people aren’t the only casualties to emerge from the Israel/Gaza conflict.

Dozens of animals at the Gaza Zoo, part of the Al-Bisan recreational park in Jabalya, have been killed or injured after being caught up in the deadly crossfire.

Heart-breaking pictures of hungry and traumatised animals have promoted calls from animal lovers around the world to save the creatures who remain trapped in their damaged cages.

A Hamadryas baboon looks at the carcass of another baboon at the Bisan City tourist village zoo.
A Hamadryas baboon looks at the carcass of another baboon at the Bisan City tourist village zoo.

As an eerie truce descends over the volatile region, both sides are left counting the deadly toll of the conflict which has killed more than 2130 people and wounded almost 11,000, according to emergency services.

Abu Sameer, the zoo’s chief veterinarian, told CNN that up to 10 monkeys have been killed along with a peacock, a gazelle, a lion, and a fox.

A zookeeper inspects the damage at the Bisan City tourist village zoo which was crushed after the recent air strikes.
A zookeeper inspects the damage at the Bisan City tourist village zoo which was crushed after the recent air strikes.

He told the broadcaster last week that many animals remained traumatised and the situation was dire.

“The situation is very bad,” said Sameer. “We can’t get the animals out to clean the cages. Many of them are getting sick because they are weak and it is dirty. But we don’t have any alternative places.”

Farid al-Hissi feeds the lioness and the lion in their cage as food supplies run short.
Farid al-Hissi feeds the lioness and the lion in their cage as food supplies run short.

The pictures show animals surrounded by carcasses, while some of the cages have no water.

Zoo staff also said food was low and some animals remained at risk of starvation due to shortages and lack of money.

Mr al-Hissi inspects the damage inflicted upon the lion cage.
Mr al-Hissi inspects the damage inflicted upon the lion cage.

The Bisan City tourist village is run by Palestinian-militant group Hamas and also includes a wedding hall, gardens, soccer fields, restaurants and even an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Built in 2008 as a tourist village, it is now far from relaxing, with the wire of its enclosures twisted and crushed after the strikes, debris and dead animals lie around, and the remains of militant rocket launchers rest nearby.

The tourist village is now far from relaxing, with the wire of its enclosures twisted and crushed and the remains of militant rocket launchers lying nearby.
The tourist village is now far from relaxing, with the wire of its enclosures twisted and crushed and the remains of militant rocket launchers lying nearby.

But the plight of the animals has not only attracted worldwide media attention but also animal rights charities and groups.

Animal Welfare charity Four Paws International is among those leading the operation to help the animals.

Birds of prey are pictured inside their damaged cage at the Bisan City tourist village zoo.
Birds of prey are pictured inside their damaged cage at the Bisan City tourist village zoo.

Organisation vet Amir Khalil said it had acquired all the necessary permits to transport the animals which include three lions and a crocodile and hoped to move them across the border to Jordan to safety, Eyewitness News reported.

A Hamadryas baboon looks at the camera from inside his cage.
A Hamadryas baboon looks at the camera from inside his cage.

Meanwhile a petition has been doing the rounds on social media, with people urging action to help the animals, who like many victims of war, are simply innocent bystanders.

A goose peeks as an antelope sits in their cage which is surrounded by debris.
A goose peeks as an antelope sits in their cage which is surrounded by debris.
The carcass of a monkey remains on the ground after it was caught in the crossfire of the latest conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants.
The carcass of a monkey remains on the ground after it was caught in the crossfire of the latest conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants.
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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/gaza-zoo-heartbreaking-pictures-of-animals-killed-and-injured-in-the-crossfire/news-story/c5661f5c9250c3a6830ca0005719ae85