Gaza’s Rafah Zoo’s animals need help

FOUR Paws has launched a petition for the rescue of all animals at Gaza’s Rafah Zoo, which has already been signed by more than 120000 people worldwide.

Four Paws is calling for the final closure of the infamous zoo, which has regularly been making headlines since the beginning of the year.

In mid-January, four lion cubs froze to death. Only a few weeks later, pictures of a mutilated lioness appeared.

Four Paws is encouraging South Africans to add their voice to the petition and help the organisation advocate a better life for these animals.

Four Paws SA director Fiona Miles said: “It is our collective responsibility to ensure this cruelty is curbed immediately, and to save the animals from being exposed to the atrocious practices awaiting them.

“When people unite for animals, we become the voices for those who cannot speak.”

Currently, more than 40 animals – including five lions, a hyena, several monkeys, wolves, porcupines, foxes, cats and dogs – live at Rafah Zoo.

Gaza’s oldest zoo opened in 1999 on the Egyptian border.

From there, wild animals were repeatedly smuggled through underground tunnels to and from Gaza.

Four Paws says since the opening of the zoo, many animals have already died due to rocket attacks and war battles. Four Paws says they have learnt that the zoo owner plans to perform the painful surgery of declawing on two lions and, if necessary, without a veterinarian.

Sign the petition at: https://help. four-paws.org/en-ZA/shut-down-rafahzoo-gaza |