Syrian Zoo Animals Escape War

<b> by Jonathan Sanger</b>

The remaining animals of the Magic World Zoo in Aleppo, Syria, have been rescued. The zoo’s original owner fled Syria for the United States five years ago. Since that time, the animals have been surviving the squalid conditions and ongoing violence.

International animal aid group Four Paws launched a high-risk rescue operation in collaboration with security experts to get the animals out of Aleppo. The team was able to transport 13 animals, including five lions, to the Syria-Turkey border.

“The ongoing war has taken its toll on the animals,” Four Paws released in a statement. “The lack of water, food and veterinary care has left the animals physically and psychologically traumatized. Several animals were also killed by severe bombings.”

Once the animals arrived in Syria, they began receiving medical treatment at the Karacabey center close to Bursa. Once they reached more stable conditions, they were flown to their new home in Jordan.

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