Lions and other innocent animals wait for food and water at Libya’s Tripoli Zoo. Photo credit: CNN
Samantha Ellis, Global Animal
After reaching out to several different international rescue organizations, we are glad to report that every group we contacted is doing whatever it can to help the animals that were abandoned at the Tripoli Zoo. Unfortunately, getting aid to these animals is very difficult because of the inability to safely get in to Libya. The situation there remains unstable, and it’s impossible to known how the new government will react to foreign groups entering the country.
Of the organizations we contacted, IFAW, World Vets, and WSPA Australia seem to be the closest to taking action and saving these animals.
IFAW’s Ronnie O’Connor told us, “We have been in touch with our colleagues throughout the Middle East and they are reaching out to their contacts in Tripoli with an offer from the International Fund for Animal Welfare for immediate assistance. The situation in Tripoli is very unstable, but we are ready and willing to deploy aid.”
Kyle Baird from Wold Vets said, ” Because of the conflict we are not able to send a team so we have been working to leverage our worldwide network of veterinarian contacts since the news broke. Our intent is to find someone already in Tripoli or nearby who can deliver supplies to these animals. So far we have not been able to make contact with anyone who has that ability.”
Ingrid Potgieter from WSPA Autralia gave us some good news: “We are pleased to report that one of our network organisations, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) , has succeeded in making contact with officials in the Libyan interim transitional national council, as well as the Director of the Tripoli Zoo, to ascertain the animals’ most immediate needs and agree a way to deliver the aid they require.”
We have also contacted the World Association of Zoos and Aquatiums (WAZA) to find out what the Global Animal Foundation can do to help get these animals the food and water they so desperately need. As soon as we have established exactly what we can do to aid WAZA, we will inform you, our caring readers, about how you can help, too.
For more information on the plight of the Tripoli zoo animals, read: Tripoli’s Zoo Animals Abandoned During Libya’s Conflict
To donate to help provide water, food, and care for the Tripoli Zoo Animals: Global Animal Foundation
