A batch of animals with an estimated value of nearly 1 million yuan
(US$120,500) will be sent by two Chinese organizations to
Afghanistan's Kabul Zoo as symbols of friendship and to bring joy
to the local people.
According to an agreement signed in China on Wednesday by the China
Wildlife Conservation Association and the Embassy of the Interim
Administration of Afghanistan, the animals include two lions, two
bears, a wolf, two deer, two peacocks and other animals. They are
expected to be sent to Afghanistan as early as August.
Provided by Beijing Badaling Safari World, the animals, mostly in
couples, are expected to breed babies and take root in the
war-ravaged nation.
After Marjon, the one-eyed and only lion in Kabul Zoo, died at the
age of 38 in February, Beijing Badaling Safari World and China
Wildlife Conservation Association expressed their wish to donate
two lions to the zoo in the capital of the war-ravaged nation.
The good wish was welcomed by the Embassy of the Interim
Administration of Afghanistan in China, which later expressed hope
of seeing more animals donated to Kabul Zoo.
To
foster friendship between the Chinese and Afghan people, and in
order to bring happiness to Afghan children, Safari World decided
to make a free donation of animals and fulfill the embassy's
hopes.
According to Safari World's deputy manager Wang Wei, a successful
donation demands exit permits, quarantine approvals, and funds for
shipping.
So
far, Safari World has obtained all necessary exit permits for the
animals. In the following days, the animals will undergo the
necessary quarantine process -- which usually takes 30 days -- and
then make the trip to Afghanistan in early August.
According to the agreement, the animals will be handed over to
Afghanistan in Urumqi.
"The animals will first be shipped to Urumqi by train and then be
sent to Kabul by air," said Li Jing, a staff member with Badaling
Safari World.
An
animal keeper will also go with the animals to attend to them
during the trip and work at Kabul Zoo for one month to help the
animals adjust.
(China
Daily July 12, 2002)