CAIRO: When Egyptian protesters and police battled on the streets in front of the Cairo Zoo on May 15, a zebra was killed, the zoo confirmed to Bikya Masr on Tuesday morning. The causes of the animal's untimely demise, however, remain as cloudy as the tear gas that had been launched at the activists protesting the 63rd year of the “Nakba” of Israel's occupation of Palestinian land. In the street fighting over 100 people were inured as the activists attempted to storm the building housing the Israeli Embassy. On the opposite side of the street is the Cairo Zoo, home to dozens of animals in what most animal rights activists have long said are “horrendous” conditions. Nonetheless, there are animals. The Zebra “enclosure” is near the entrance and was in direct contact with the fumes that come with tear gas. According to one zoo official, who asked not to be named, “it is likely that the animal suffocated as a result of the large amount of tear gas being used against the protesters.” Making matters worse still was the zoo's disclosure that another zebra, in the same area, had died only 45 days earlier. They would not say the cause of death. Animal rights, and those who support the cause, are often ignored or even laughed at in Egypt. Animal rights organizations such as the Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals (ESMA) have called for greater action to combat what appears to be rising violence against animals. They said educating Egyptians is the best way to ensure this sort of cruelty is not repeated, but it is a long uphill battle. Earlier this month, reports of the use of strychnine came from the Red Sea resort town of Dahab, where authorities used the poison in an effort to kill stray animals. At least one resident reported their companion animal died after being exposed to the poison. Images of dogs and cats were shown online. The use of the poison came less than one month after local authorities assured animal rights organizations working in the town that they would not poison animals and would allow for the groups to initiate a spay and neuter campaign. But, like so often when dealing with animals, the government reneged on their promises. BM
