2. World Class Zoos
A zoo is a place where people can view
and learn about wild and exotic
animals.
Modern zoos keep these animals in
conditions similar to how they would
live if they were still free in nature.
This keeps the animals healthy and
alert, and it makes a zoo ethical,
educational and interesting
3. World Class Zoos
• Some animals are solitary, while
others live in packs, families or
herds.
• Every animal is adapted to a certain
natural environment and climate.
• They need activity and stimulation.
• Good zoos work hard to replicate
these conditions.
4. Kurdistan’s Zoos fall far short
The overall condition of their animals and
facilities is very bad.
5. Kurdistan’s Zoos fall far short
The condition of the animals in the Sulaimaniya
Zoo in Sarchnar Park is despicable.
Parks in Erbil and Dohuk are no better
6. Kurdistan’s Zoos fall far short
Instead of habitats, animals have small cement
cages.
Their fur is matted and stiff with urine because
even these cages are not kept clean.
They do not have trained caretakers who know
how to interact safely with wild animals.
7. Kurdistan’s Zoos fall far short
The untrained staff use a hose to occasionally
clean the animals and the cages.
No provision is made to keep them at
temperatures or in surroundings appropriate to
their species.
There is no educational information about their
habits, behavior, or environment.
8. World Class Zoos vs Zoos in
Kurdistan
Let us look at a few specific examples
9. White peacocks, native to India, are
usually kept in a park or garden, where
they roam freely. They do not need to
be confined. They stay in their
pleasant surrounding.
Peacocks can fan out their tail feathers
to a width of up to 5 feet.
10. Visitors to this zoo will never see this
beautiful sight. The bird is trapped in a
cage too small to even allow it to
spread its feathers.
12. The puma or mountain lion
prefers habitats with dense underbrush
and rocky areas but can also live in open
plains
13. This one is locked into a very small cage
with three walls of concrete block.
Pumas jump 15 feet high and 40 feet
wide at one lunge, astonishing visitors
with their grace and power. This one can
barely move.
15. In the San Diego zoo, striped hyenas
are one of the popular attractions.
Their stripes work like camouflage,
and children like to try and spot them
in their large enclosure among the
grass and thorn bushes. In nature,
they live in family groups.
16.
17. This one is being kept alone in a cage
inside another cage, probably because
despair has made him aggressive.
19. Foxes live in underground dens, elaborate
tunnel structures that they dig and often
use for generations. They are shy and need
to be able to retreat into their den to feel
safe. The cubs are very playful and visitors
love to come when a new litter has been
born.
20. This fox is dirty and extremely thin and
constantly paces up and down his small
cage, a sign that he is in great distress.
22. Dogs are intelligent, capable animals who
can do important work.
Guide dogs enable their blind or deaf
owners to lead safe, fulfilled lives
Search and rescue dogs find people who
have been buried by an earthquake or an
avalanche
Police dogs can detect drugs, explosives, and
firearms
In hospitals, dogs can diagnose lung cancer
in patients more accurately and sooner than
a medical test
And millions of dogs provide companionship
and friendship as a member of their family
23. No respectable zoo in the world would even
think about exhibiting dogs or cats
Dogs and cats are domesticated animals,
pets who live in households or perform
work for their owners, such as herding
sheep, catching mice or guarding the home
against intruders.
25. It is completely inappropriate and cruel
to keep dogs in isolation, in barren
cells. The special feature of the dog is
his ability and desire to interact with
humans, to be “man’s best friend.”
27. Syrian brown bears, they once roamed
freely throughout the Middle east. They
are now extinct in Egypt, Israel, Lebanon
and Syria. There are still a few in Iran
and Turkey
28. Brown Bears in
Kurdish Zoo
In Iraq they are
almost extinct
as local hunters
kill them for
sport or to
display them in
Zoo’s.
29. Kurdistan’s Zoos fall far short
Should Kurdish Zoos be
contributing to making a
beautiful species extinct?
30. A humane, modern zoo has facilities that
are appropriate to the needs and health and
habitat of the animals, allowing them
freedom of movement, companionship, the
climate conditions required by their species
and a clean environment.
This also makes a visit to the zoo much more
educational and enjoyable for the humans
and teaches children respect for living
things.
31. Miserable, sick animals who are kept
imprisoned in tiny, dirty, bare spaces with
no fellowship of others, no exercise, and no
stimulation bring disgrace on the humans
who are responsible.
33. IMMINENT FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN: END
ANIMAL ABUSE IN IRAQI KURDISTAN
The zoos in Kurdistan are a disgrace.
We call upon all ethical, kind hearted people
in Kurdistan to take action.
Contact your politicians and demand that
they end this cruelty
Tell the owners of these zoos that they must
provide decent care and facilities for the
animals
Support your local animal welfare
organizations
34. Some of Our Supporters
Nature Iraq
Nature Iraq is an Iraqi non-governmental organization registered in Iraq,
accredited to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Iraq’s
first and only Affiliate to Birdlife International. They work to protect, restore,
and preserve Iraq’s natural environment and the rich cultural heritage it
nourishes.
You may want to read their open letter to Kurdish Zoos here
http://www.natureiraq.org/site/en/node/157
Stop animal trade in Kurdistan and Iraq
https://www.facebook.com/groups/435781116444722/
Kurdistan Animal Protection Organization (KAPO
https://www.facebook.com/#!/kapo.slemani
