An animal conservationist lines up 11 dead flamingos shot by crazy Kuwaiti yahoos for absolutely no reason at all.
We have seen some shocking images of animal abuse on Green Prophet, but this picture of 11 dead flamingos in Kuwait is definitely on our list of the most disturbing. Earlier this year Arwa published a story depicting dead sharks in the UAE killed for their fins, and only a few weeks ago, we learned about one million migrating songbirds that are killed for a pickled dish in Cyprus.
In both of those cases, the animals were at least killed for food, but last week one or more crazy Kuwaiti yahoos shot and killed 11 flamingos for absolutely no reason at all. These images come directly from the Kuwait Society for the Protection of Animals and Their Habitat (K’s PATH), who rushed to the Abdaliya Nature Preserve to rescue 2 flamingos that had been left to die, and to document the senseless carnage poachers left behind.
According to K’s PATH, a worker at the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) called them to report that poachers had broken through fencing at the Abdaliya Nature Preserve and shot 13 flamingos in total. 11 died immediately, one was in fatal condition with a broken leg and birdshot, and another suffered from stress and myopathy.
Abdaliya Nature Preserve is a joint KOC and Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources (PAAFR) project.
K’s PATH employees rushed to the scene, photographed the dead birds, and transported the two injured birds to the Royal Animal Hospital, where Dr. Jill Mullen and staff examined them. The team consulted Dr. Robert Aguilar, an American veterinarian, who advised them to place the birds in an adapted raptor cage with standard mirrors that help the birds feel like they are still a part of a flock, thereby reducing stress.
The flamingo with the broken leg died, but the other bird is doing reasonable well, eating, and is undergoing a rehabilitation.
K’s PATH relies on donations for funding since government support is paltry, despite press material that reveals His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah showing support for wildlife conservation projects in Kuwait. The Emir was reported to have released some rabbits and deer into the Sabah Al-Ahmad Nature Preserve.
According to K’s PATH, poaching in Kuwait has reached epic proportions, and it is not uncommon to see men shooting at animals from moving vehicles.
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K’s Path closed in 2017. From their press release:
K’S PATH announced this morning the decision to close K’S PATH by the end of six months that is December 2017. All animals at the K’S PATH shelter will be adopted out in Kuwait or will be rehomed in international shelters. No animals will be put down.
Citing reasons for closing K’S PATH, Sheikha Fatima M. Al Sabah explains that the K’S PATH team has worked very hard for the past 12 years to protect Kuwait’s animals and the environment and thankfully, much has been achieved through the years.
Therefore the decision to close the Society is not based on financial or administrative reasons or as a result of any problem; but this decision was made based on the knowledge that Kuwait’s animals and environment will be cared for by compassionate people in the community.
She further adds that the new animal protection and environmental laws passed by Kuwait’s Parliament reflect the progressive approach of the Government authorities to foster future generations that appreciate Kuwait’s natural heritage.
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
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Its unfortunate that a crime against Gods creatures in Kuwait didnt have any Kuwaiti animal conservationist photographed caring for the birds.
And BTW I wonder what the response will be when the men shooting at animals from moving vehicles decide that a two legged mammal should be next, if they havnt already.
I am the managing director of K’S PATH (Kuwait Society For the Protection of Animals and Their Habitat). I’m sad to report that despite the best efforts of our team working extra hours to do everything in our power, the second flamingo died on the 22nd.
We are working with Kuwait Oil Company,who owns and administers the nature preserve where this happened, to prevent poaching in the area. However, we cannot make all of the necessary changes that will curb the tide of habitat destruction and eradication of wildlife currently effecting Kuwait without additional support.
I can be reached via [email protected]
From my point of view is not right to take life of animal for our taste of tounge.
At least if they ate them, it might be understood. But just to kill them and let them lay there – that’s a low blow.