In Taez, zoo animals starve in a city shattered by Yemen’s war

A worker holds lion cubs outside their cage at a zoo in Yemen's southwestern city of Taez on February 23, 2016 as fighting, bombing and a blockade by militiamen have killed many of the animals in the zoo. Anees Mahyoub/ ReutersShow less

Fighting, bombing and a blockade by militiamen of food and water that have killed hundreds of people in the southwestern Yemeni city of Taez have not spared the animals of the local zoo.

But thanks in part to the work of an animal-lover in Sweden, the beasts now have a better chance of surviving.

The feathered and furry denizens of the city zoo are slowly dying from starvation and untreated wounds before the eyes of helpless keepers, in another sign of suffering after nearly a year of war.

King of the jungle no longer, one male lion is so emaciated that every bump in his spine pokes up and sores cover much of his body.

The critically endangered Arabian leopards which once stalked the verdant highlands are dropping dead from hunger. Zoo staff allow them to feast on their expired brethren - anything to keep them alive.

“When I first arrived, the scene was terrifying. Animals would be fed one day and not eat again for another five. They were bleeding, angry and would fight each other over any scraps to eat,” said one volunteer working at the zoo. “It was a picture of hell on earth.”

The man, who declined to give his name, said the number of staff was down to just 17. None of them had been paid in months and were working for love of the animals.

“They’re doing the best they can given the shortages,” he said.

Earlier this month, zoo workers posted pictures on social media posing in front of the stricken animals with signs reading, “SOS Taiz zoo, animals are starving”.

The appeal paid off and the scenes stirred hearts a world away in Malmo, Sweden, where bank worker and animal lover Chantal Jonkergouw helped start an online fundraising campaign to provide food and medicine for the crestfallen critters.

Almost US$33,000 (Dh121,214) was raised by the effort on generosity.com in less than two weeks and has already been put to use in paying staff, funding surgery on the lion's open wounds and feeding the big cats – several donkeys a day.

“It touches me anytime I see animals caged, exploited or starving,” Ms Jonkergouw said.

Taez is contested between local militias and the armed Houthi group which many residents say blocks aid from entering and bombs civilian targets. It is one of the worst fronts of the war, in which forces loyal to the internationally recognised government ousted by the Houthis in March are seeking to recapture the capital of Sanaa from the rebels.

Residents say the Houthis have repeatedly shelled hospitals and civilian areas, while their network of checkpoints around the city mean locals must smuggle in cooking gas and bread through rutted mountain passes.

The some 280 animals in the zoo – 20 lions including 2 cubs, 26 Arabian leopards as well as Arabian deer, monkeys, porcupines, lynx and eagles – have not been spared the trauma.

Eleven lions and six leopards have died. Those which survive pace in anguish in their cages and animals are at times sullen and anxious.

Acknowledging criticism that not just the animals but all of Taez’s 240,000 people are in dire straits, Ms Jonkergouw said she and her team of online organisers would stick to their mission.

“People caused this conflict. Of course there are innocent people in trouble as well, but humans can often flee or develop some kind of alternatives. It’s never the animals having this choice. It’s not fair, and we have an obligation to help them.”

* Reuters