International charity rescues animals from Gaza zoo

KHAN YUNIS, Palestinian Territory – An international charity is rescuing animals from Gaza Strip’s main zoo that it has dubbed “the worst in the world” and transferring them to better lives abroad.

Zoo owner Mohammad Eweda said on Friday the animals are being “donated” because the zoo doesn’t “have the ability to give them anything.”

In the past, his zoo turned to taxidermy to keep its deceased animals on exhibit while another zoo in the strip painted stripes on donkeys to try and make them look like zebras.

The Four Paws charity said tortoises, an emu and other animals will be taken to a rescue centre in Jordan and the zoo’s single tiger to a sanctuary in South Africa. The zoo is now closed.

There is little awareness of animal welfare in Gaza.