'Gaddafi's zoo' getting help from Malta
One of Saif's tigers at the Tripoli Zoo.
Animals at Tripoli zoo, next door to Muammar Gaddafi's compound, are getting some much needed help through Malta.
International Animal Rescue Malta (IARM) said today that it has been given clearance by the Prime Minister to use Malta as a hub for the transport of food and medicine.
Tripoli zoo was closed to the public for several years and became known as Gaddafi's zoo because Gaddafi's son, Saif, visited almost every day. A tunnel linking the Gaddafi compound to the zoo was discovered recently.
A few members of the staff bravely continued to tend the traumatised animals as shells exploded all around the complex during the uprising. But the return of relative calm did not ease the problem, with the animals (like the rest of Tripoli) having suffered from a water shortage and a shortage of food.
A Siberian tiger - called Osama - died because of stress and also because of its age. The Hippos barely survived because of the shortage of water, but they are now recovering.
The IARM has linked up with several animal welfare organisations to appeal for funds to ensure the safety of animals.
A spokesman for IARM, Max Farrugia, said this afternoon that the organisation last May ferried out of Tripoli a considerable number of pets owned by various nationals who had been working in Libya.
It has since been requested, through its headquarters in the UK, to help ferry food and medicine to the zoo animals.
The International Federation for Animal Welfare and the Humane Society International are also funelling their assistance through the organisation in Malta.
The association said Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has offered to assist through the provision of free storage space. The Maltese government is also making available the transport of the material and personnel.
"The OPM and IARM are working closely together," Mr Farrugia said.
He said an international group of vets is working round the clock with the Tripoli Zoo director to save as many animals as possible.
He said the IARM and the International Fund for Animal Welfare had so far provided funding to enable the zoo to get by for the next two weeks.
CNN was among the organisations which helped ensure that the funds and materials reached the zoo.
Mr Farrugia said that a medical team from Vier Pfoten (Four Paws) Germany and South Africa were helping in the zoo while two Libyan nationals were providing information.
Anyone who would like to help these animals can contact IARM at iarm093@go.net.mt .
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
28 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Antoine Zammit
Sep 15th 2011, 08:29
Huwa b'atti bhal dawn li nuru n-nobilta ta' xi Maltin li lesti jmorru lil hin minn xtutna f'pajjjiż mifni bi gwerra ċivili sabiex jieħdu ħsieb u jikkuraw lil ħuthom b'erba' saqajn, f'kuntrast mal-meskinita ta' xi oħrajn li jkunu krudili u jaħqruhom għax ma għandhomx vuċi biex jitkellmu.
Similarment tikkuntrasta mal-meskinita ta' dan id-dittatur 'big-brother', pervers, maskilist, psikopatiku, masokist, sadist, manijaku sesswali, drugat, maħmuġ, kriminal, kodard u ġifa, u hi ta' mistħija li ingħata x-xirka għal-ġieħ ir-repubblika minn dan il-pajjiż.. Tajhielu min tajhielu!
Nitolbu li jinqabad qiegħed fejn qiegħed jistaħba. Minn issa l'hemm l-affarijiet mingħajru ma jistgħux ħlief imorry għall-aħjar.
Mr M Farrugia
Sep 14th 2011, 23:02
Mr. David Hill no one mentioned that these animals are going to be brought to Malta. It is a pity that you are the only one on this blog to trry to deviate this issue into a political one. shame on you. we are discussing humane actions and not politics
Marina Sammut
Sep 14th 2011, 22:25
Just read that this zoo keeps 700 animals!!!...captivity or not well done to all involved to save as many of these creatures as possible who are undergoing starvation!!
A Caruana
Sep 14th 2011, 21:50
The association said Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has offered to assist through the provision of free storage space. The Maltese government is also making available the transport of the material and personnel - THE PRIME MINISTER SHOULD PAY ATTENTION OF THE SUFFERING HUMANS ARE ENDURING THANKS TO ARRIVA IN MALTA!!
Marianne Tabone
Sep 15th 2011, 19:59
X'ghandu x'jaqsam? Mela biex tghin lil xi hadd trid bil-fors qabel issolvi l-problemi kollha tad-dinja jew?
Ms Maria Vella
Sep 16th 2011, 13:26
Well said Marianne Tabone
Mr M Farrugia
Sep 16th 2011, 16:27
Habib inti ieor min dawk li dejjem lesti isibu l-okkazjoni sabiex iddahlu l-politika fin-nofs u zzefnu lil Gvern tghamlu kunu maturi u kkumentaw kollox f'hinu u waqtu. Kien hemm news item iehor fejn stajt taghmel l-argument tieghek dwar l-arriva kieku xtaqt.
mark borg
Sep 14th 2011, 21:24
@Mr Ellis
Totally agree with you Mr Ellis,however our horses do not only need these shelters as ther are more factors to be tackled to protect these gorgeous animals,such as the annimal welfare should be ever present in Valletta to check their state and that they are not overloaded,they should not walk in the most busy early hrs in the sun and all the traffick usually from Marsa to Valletta but should be driven and the Karozzin asembled in Valletta .But as usual we have a dept of Annimal Welfare but they turn a blind eye on such situations.My question is how many of the karozzini owners where fined this year for not keeping their horses up to standard?as one only has to make a short trip to Valletta and check himself in what poor and inhumane conditions these horses have to work.Authorities pls act !
Cari A. M
Sep 14th 2011, 20:42
If these animals weren't in the zoo in the first place they wouldn't be as stressed as they are cause they could have run to a safe place.
Well done for the help being given now though!!
Mr Joseph Ellis
Sep 14th 2011, 19:45
Well done. But when is something concrete going to be done about the karozzini horses. We have been hearing that they will get shelters from the sun from years but nothing concrete ever seems to materialize.
Mr M Farrugia
Sep 14th 2011, 23:07
I think that you have the right to air your concern about the karozzini. A lot have been said. There is a group which I think work on this particular area and theya re doing very well from what I read. I think but your comment on this blog is out of place becasue a different thing is being discussed.
Gordon Swain
Sep 15th 2011, 09:52
Mr Ellis, naqbel mieghek 100%, ahjar nghatu kaz ta Malta l-ewwel. Hija haga tajba li nghinu lil kulhadd inkluz l-animali, imma kif jghidu l-inglizi CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME thanks
Rachel Borg
Sep 14th 2011, 19:31
A big Thank you!!!!
Mr JOSEPH ZAMMIT
Sep 14th 2011, 19:15
do not get to Malta, every summer they will be traumatized again and again during the feasts.
Mr B. Fenech
Sep 14th 2011, 23:35
Bad English And no real point to what was said. doesn't even have anything to do with the article.
Adele Mintoff
Sep 14th 2011, 18:58
Well done!!
Alfred Falzon
Sep 14th 2011, 18:56
Even the Zoo is called after Gaddafi and his clan?!
What was public in pre-Revolutionary Libya was Gaddafi's et al and the people were just numbers many of them used as cannon fodder surrounded by foreign mercenaries from sub-Saharan Africa to butcher their own people!
Gaddafi here, Gaddafi there, Gaddafi everywhere!
And the people nowhere!
A mental illness called "megalomania"!
Mr M Farrugia
Sep 14th 2011, 20:06
According to CNN the zoo was owned by Ghaddafi. A tunnel connected his bunker with this zoo. His son Saif used to visit the zoo everyday.
Alfred Falzon
Sep 15th 2011, 08:19
@ M Farrugia
In the tyrant's days in power EVERYTHING belonged to him, to his sons and daughter/s (Hana Gaddafi is still alive and today is a medical doctor) or close relatives!
The people had to look to him as a MAFIA GODFATHER and be thankful that they were tolerated as such!
Just take a look at the Gaddafis' hedonistic lifestyles and you will realise what I and the rest of the democratic world mean!
Logan Fenech
Sep 14th 2011, 18:26
Bring them to Malta! We need a zoo.
Mark Cassar
Sep 14th 2011, 19:11
Are you joking? Zoos are just prisons for these beautiful animals. If you are so desperate to have a zoo - I suggest you volunteer to be enlcosed in a cage all day long to be viewed by fellow humans like you.
Peter Seebohm
Sep 14th 2011, 19:11
Better not.
I remember the "heroic" action a few years ago.
A boat full of hunters liked to kill 2 Flamingos.
Of course, it was an heroic act.. Flamingos are dangerous.
Do you see any T-Rex arround. No.
But Flamingos in every ZOO- Behind high fenches of about 40cm.
Mr David Hill
Sep 14th 2011, 19:55
What a great idea, and with the governments efficiency the cages will be built a year after the animals arrive, and tourists can be charged double to see them.
Mr Ivan Calleja
Sep 14th 2011, 20:17
You are still living in the 19th century in animal conservation matters my friend!! So better update yourself!!
Logan Fenech
Sep 14th 2011, 23:00
Calm down! These animals where probably born in the Tripoli ZOO so it is the only life they know. They will never be freed because they're unable to hunt - that's the only reason why i suggested it..
Mr M Farrugia
Sep 14th 2011, 23:08
Very well said Mark
C. Spiteri
Sep 14th 2011, 17:51
Good show Dr Gonzi - it shows that Malta does not only care for humans but also for helpless animals.
Thank you in the name of our animal friends.
mark borg
Sep 15th 2011, 07:33
Well said Mr Spiteri when it comes to SHOWS, there is no one better than your Dr Gonzi !