Being trapped in a cage as active combat rages around you is actually the terrifying reality for zoo animals living in war zones. Veterinarian Amir Khalil(52) is trying to save as many as he can while risking his own life rushing into trouble spots around the world, treating and evacuating starving and injured animals. Here is his amazing story.
More than 40 other animals had died during the fight – either caught up in the bullets and blasts or from starvation.
That's what he said about the operation on this interview: "On 7th April 2019, the rescue team transferred 47 zoo animals out of the Gaza Strip. The animals – including five lions, a hyena, several monkeys, wolves, porcupines, foxes, cats, dogs, emus, ostriches, and squirrels – come from a neglected zoo in Rafah in the south of Gaza. The rescue mission was originally scheduled for the end of March but had to be postponed due to ongoing unrest in the region. FOUR PAWS brought most of the animals to Jordanian wildlife sanctuaries with two of the lions to fly on to South Africa today, 8th April. There they will live in species-appropriate enclosures".
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