CAIRO: I quote these words from JGI (Jane Goodall): Some may argue helping zoos, I respect this argument, but, I see that one should work on removing the worst abuses and cruelty whilst at the same time offering some protection for the welfare of those that remain. As public opinion along with its standard of education and expectation we are firmly of the view that it will not be long before wild animals are no longer tolerated in circuses or kept in captivity. Importantly our role to help will also go someway towards international opinion on animals in circuses and the health and safety expectation of the contemporary state of animals. I respect the arguments on this subject, but I decided to follow this: I would do whatever I can to mitigate the suffering of animals, and I would work to help and improve the conditions of animals. Thank you to the Central Zoos Director Dr. Nabil Sidki for meeting us. We trust the Central Zoos Management is currently doing the best they can for the recovery of this chimp according to their resources. Biopsy, operations and tests have been made to Moza and as explained by Central Zoos Management, Moza has to be isolated for her good. This enclosure is temporary until complete recovery of Moza. She is monitored 24/7. Update on Moza We had a meeting last week with Dr. Nabi Sidkil, the Central Zoos Director, regarding the health and living conditions of the chimp Moza. Moza does not belong to the Giza Zoo, but instead was sent there by an outside (recognized party – who has permit & microchip) due to her illness. The zoo has a chimps enclosure which complies to standards accepted, and also working on plans to install a new chimps enclosure, but in the case of Moza – the zoo acted as a rescue center. As for the health, we were informed that the tumors on Moza are benign and were removed last week by two surgeries. She is now recovering and being monitored 24 hours per day by rotating vets. The zoo will release a full press release about her illness after her recovery. As for the living conditions, the Giza Zoo has no resources to provide an isolation cage that meets the PAAZAB standards of humane treatment of animals living in captivity. The Giza Zoo management has made great strides over the past few years to improve the living conditions of their animals. However, the Giza Zoo is desperately in need of an isolation cage for placing chimps, or other large mammals, when they fall ill. As for now, the zoo has no choice but to keep Moza in this small place temporary she is in because there are no proper facilities for medical isolation. Once Moza has recovered, she will be moved from the enclosure she is in now. We would like to find a donor who would be willing to offer to the zoo a gift of an isolation cage. This type of cage is essential for the zoo to have for future cases of large animals falling ill. The donor of the cage can be another zoo anywhere in the world, or an individual, or a group of individuals. A plaque carrying the donor name(s) will be mounted on the cage. Please contact us if you can be of assistance. We appreciate your concern and support. Facts: Today, as a result of raising the issue in public, and the sequence of setting a meeting with Central Zoos Management. Priority is given now to set an isolation facility once the zoo professionals, will design a suitable facility to meet the “isolation” needs of the zoo and to be good for Moza which is also then usable for other such cases in the future. This could be away from the main zoo collection . All concentration now is given to this priority. Once the proper plan, design and budget is set and approved it would be announced. Already some Egyptian people who showed concern showed the willingness to share in donating for this facility once a proper plan is set, international reputable organization of IPPL, Dr. Shirley McGreal showed interest in helping once there is a proper plan set. Egyptian Society of Animal Friends who has been following this matter closely since day one and wrote official inquiries to Giza Zoo are willing to handle this project as an official registered NGO (once plan, design and budget is set by Zoo). Thank you for all the Egyptian and International people, societies who supported our cause. What is meant by a complying isolation facility: To my knowledge “a design to suit a chimpanzee. The nature of the isolation is usually more to do with bio security than anything else and that is a facility which they need for a variety of animals in the zoo that can be associated with the veterinary facilities.” ** Dina Zulfikar is a leading animal rights activist in Egypt. BM
