Kabul Zoo

The Kabul Zoo is located in Kabul, Afghanistan, on the bank of the Kabul River. The director of Kabul Zoo is Aziz Gul Saqeb.

History

The zoo was inaugurated in 1967 with a focus on Afghan fauna, being very popular with visitors and press. The zoo once had more than 500 animals with about 150,000 visitors coming to see them in 1972. The zoo suffered significant damage during the long civil war in Afghanistan; the aquarium was damaged by shelling, and combatants took the deer and rabbits for food.

Status

, the zoo only has about 280 animals, which includes 45 species of birds and mammals and 36 species of fish. by Tony Perry of the Los Angeles Times, January 7, 2010. Among the animals there are two lions (who replaced Marjan after his death in 2002) and Afghanistan's only pig. As many as 10,000 people visit during the weekends. The zoo employed a staff of 60 to care for the animals . Conditions are poor, but it is a popular place for Kabulis. The zoo is open from 6am to 6pm every day and entry costs ten Afghanis (100 Af for foreigners).

Donations and assistance

The Chinese government, a primary donor of animals, has expressed concerns about the safety of the animals it has already donated to Afghanistan. In 2004/2005, one male bear and one deer died, apparently from diseases and improper nutrition....
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