Against conventions, a UAE safari and zoo are acquiring wild animals with no regards to international laws and agreements. A big surprise in a nation where the wealthy drive gold Mercedes, and who believe everyone with money should own their own private zoo and walk cheetahs on a leash? 

In March 2022, a group of wild Namibian elephants landed in the United Arab Emirates. An investigation by The New Arab reveals that the sale served to simulate an African safari experience in Emirati zoos with no benefit for the animals and Namibian locals, and violates international protocols.

Initially captured from their natural habitat in Kamanjab, north-western Namibia in early September 2021, these African elephants — an endangered species — spent six months in quarantine captivity. They were then heavily sedated before being loaded into shipping containers, onto a plane, and transferred to their final destinations: the Sharjah Safari Park and Abu Dhabi’s Al-Ain Zoo.

Sharjah Safari Park opened earlier this year and like many bombastic projects in the Arab world, this one is the largest safari park outside of Africa. 

Located at Al Bridi Nature Reserve, the safari park was created by Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. It has over 1,000 animals and birds to see. 

See us on Al Jazeera TV talking about hypocritical ideas in the UAE. Some of the most controversial and counterproductive measures we’ve covered so far include the not so green Masdar project or celebrities releasing balloons to highlight the importance of green living; and now comes the UAE’s largest safari park. One with illegally-imported animals.

For Emirati rulers (except for the Green Sheik), the tourism-driven African theme of their wildlife parks apparently mattered more than the success of breeding programs.

It was made clear to Al-Ain Zoo Director Mark Craig that there were no imports from Africa with a European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)-accredited breeding programme because past ones had not been successful. Arne Lawrenz, the EAZA Ex-situ Programme (EEP) coordinator for elephants, described the “philosophy” of the Emirati zoos as “I got the money, I want to have it. I don’t care if that works.”

That’s why you can see limping cheetahs in traffic in Abu Dhabi or members of the royal family in Saudi Arabia walking around with lions. 

A voice, I heard, said I was born to love  | Prince Amir Al Saud | LinkedIn http://t.co/ZX2sbM7oJm pic.twitter.com/61Fl1eABQW

— Prince Amir Al saud (@amirofriyadh) October 1, 2015

Wildlife is sold to the highest bidder and so if you have enough, you can buy the most rare and endangered animals on the planet.

The outcome of the deal between Namibian poachers and the safari and zoo in the UAE was a lucrative deal finalised through middlemen rather than a non-commercial exchange between zoos, reports The New Arab.

Upon learning about the deal the EAZA decided to terminate the Al-Ain Zoo’s membership on September 15.

John Grobler, a Namibian journalist involved in the investigation is planning to draw on this exposé to call for sanctions against Namibia at the CITES CoP 19 meeting in November, which is considered the world’s most important annual summit on wildlife trade.

The zoo’s membership will end on December 31, 2022, following the decision of EAZA Council that EAZA can no longer reasonably be expected to allow the institution to remain as a member.

We hope that tourists will boycott visits to the safari and zoo and that the animals will be returned to humane parks and safaris. 

“The decision comes after careful examination of evidence related to the import of wild-caught African elephants from Namibia, which the Council agreed constituted multiple breaches of EAZA Codes and Standards,” EAZA said in a press statement.

It continued: “The African elephant EEP1 clearly stated that no approval would be given for such an import. The Elephant TAG2 repeatedly and clearly informed Al Ain Zoo that no import of wild caught elephants was either necessary or desirable. In response to urgent inquiries from both these bodies, communications from the zoo were insufficiently complete and transparent.

Wildlife trafficking is the fourth most lucrative illicit trade in the world, worth an estimated USD 15 billion annually. 

“While all parties involved claim that the trade was legal and done with the well-being of the elephants in mind, international guidelines were clearly flouted, and involved parties were likely aware of this,” states EAZA.

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The first prosthetic leg replacement procedure for an Arabian Tahr has been carried out in Oman by an Omani veterinary team, the first such surgery successfully performed in the Arab World. The procedure is rarely attempted, particularly on a wild animal. 

According to a statement released by the Oman News Agency, the veterinary team of the General Directorate of Veterinary Services at the Royal Court Affairs carried out the procedure on a wounded Tahr after its hind leg was severely fractured, causing irreparable damage to its tissue and blood supply.

Following partial amputation, the animal was fitted with an artificial limb designed to be directly stabilised by remaining leg bone, which allowed for more efficient functionality over time, in the wild. 

Gentle herbivores, Tahrs live in small family groups of two or three animals. The species is diurnal, grazing in the early morning and late afternoon. Although it can survive long periods without drinking if good vegetation is available, in summer it will come down to drink every two or three days.

The Arabian Tahr is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) among its list of endangered animals. The entire world population of Arabian tahr – estimated at fewer than 5,000 animals – live in the mountains of northern Oman and the United Arab Emirates. While some populations may have increased through protection from hunting and poaching, overall it is likely that the species continues to decline.

Kudos to the dedicated doctors who have put their imprint on the survival of this species.

If you are a wild animal veterinarian you might like to know how the procedure was done. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, released a report on how it was done.

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Whether it’s disappearing elephant herds in Botswana (or ones smuggled in suffering at the Abu Dhabi zoo), dying coral reefs in Australia, or near silence of small tropical tree frogs in a Central American rain forest, the vanishing of animal and plant species all over the world is finally being directly attributed to manmade causes. This mass nature depletion, despite previous “wake up call warnings” is now occurring at an even faster rate than biologists and climatologists had previously imagined.

A recent CNN program, Vanishing, dealt with a variety of creatures presently in danger of simply vanishing from the face of earth due to direct and indirect influences of global warming, climate change; and human caused decimation. Ranging from some of the earth’s smallest animal species, such as coral and bees, all the way to the earth’s largest land mammal, the African elephant, the program gives a graphic account of how many of these animal species are in danger to becoming extinct.

Starting with African elephants living in Botswana, one of Africa’s largest remaining concentration of the species, the number of elephants remaining have dwindled dramatically in the past 10 years; and by more than 20% in the past few years alone: “If present elephant depletions continue at this rate, the entire elephant population here could be gone in the next 20 years,” said a Botswana based zoologist.

Although elephants and other large animal species like giraffes are more noticeable as being severely endangered, the fate of many small creatures are mentioned as well. These include Oregon bumble bees, Central American rain forest amphibians like tree frogs; and coral reefs off the coast of Madagascar. These animal species in particular appear slated to become part of the Sixth Mass Extinction, according to the CNN program.

As pointed out in the program, the resident bumble bee populations of many areas have declined so dramatically in recent years that local farmers are now importing bees to be used to pollinate their crops.

One of the most graphic examples of mankind’s adverse influence on natural habitats, according to the Vanishing documentary, takes place on the Pacific Midway Island atoll. Located virtually midway between the continental USA and Japan the atoll is home to large colonies of albatrosses and other marine birds. It is also a “collection point” for huge quantities of plastic wastes that wash up on the island’s beaches from the ocean. Located in the vicinity of what is known as the Great North Pacific Gyre, this plastic waste is often ingested by the birds, eventually killing them.

The tragic result are large number of dead birds; their gullets literally filled with this plastic material the birds thought to be food. Studies of the large “plastic island” waste patch in the Pacific Gyre estimate it to be larger than the American state of Texas.

In a region closer to home, the Middle East, the demise of animal species is no less alarming. The last lion was killed in Palestine more than 150 years ago; and the few remaining leopards in Israel and Jordan are now on the critically endangered list. This also goes for the once common Syrian bear; now seen more in zoos than in the wild. Hoofed animals such as the oryx and Nubian Ibex are also on the endangered list. These are only a few of formerly indigenous mammals that have either become extinct or are in danger of becoming so due to human encroachment and climate change.

It may be already too late to significantly reverse these disturbing trends. But at least we need to make a more concerted effort to save what’s left of the world’s animal species. If not, humankind will be directly affected by this Sixth Mass Extinction as well.

Read more on wildlife extinction and endangered species threats:
Earth is in the midst of its sixth mass extinction – wake up call, folks!
Oceans spiralling downwards, threatening life on earth
Israel Animals Killed by Economic Development

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Wild animals shouldn’t live in palaces, connected to leashes and paraded around streets in the Gulf Region like they are trophies. Dolphins shouldn’t be captured to live in cramped, private pools (read this story on the 4 dolphins living in a filthy pool in Egypt). Elephants shouldn’t be killed for tusks, or wild birds kidnapped from the nest to be sold at an exotic pet store.

There are so many moral and spiritual reasons as to why animal trafficking has to stop. Sadly, the deep pockets of Middle East millionaires with wild animal fetishes makes the Middle East a prime location for illegal animal import.

Deep pockets and access to private jets are another reason. So how can we as individuals stop animal trafficking in its tracks? Most of us aren’t brave or bold enough to pack up our lives and head to the jungles – where animal trafficking starts. But we can follow the following guide to help bring an end to this sad and gruesome hobby.

Putting crime in a museum

Wildlife trafficking is wreaking havoc on particularly vulnerable animal populations across the globe, and stands as both a critical conservation concern and a threat to global security.

“This is a real problem that impacts us all, even if we are not the ones making the product purchases,” states Janine Vaccarello, chief operating officer of the Crime Museum in the United States.  “We should all take an interest in ensuring these animals are not being treated cruelly and that we no longer diminish their populations.”

The Crime Museum in Washington, DC is putting a spotlight on this critical issue, marking World Environment Day by opening a new temporary exhibit titled “Ivory, Tortoise Shell, & Fur: The Ugly Truth of Wildlife Trafficking.”

The exhibit aims to raise awareness among museum visitors about an often overlooked crime.

“This is an issue that we are taking seriously and are determined to address,” explains William R. Brownfield, Assistant Secretary of State from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. “The government is on board with the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking, but it’s also important that consumers get on board, too.”

5 facts about wildlife trafficking:

1. They are going extinct. It is estimated that in the last century we have lost 97 percent of the world’s tigers. In just the last 13 years there has been a 76 percent decline in the elephant population. In 2014 alone, there were over 1,200 rhinoceros killed in South Africa. Each of these animal populations are being severely depleted in large part due to illegal wildlife trafficking.

2.  Organized crime pays. Wildlife trafficking has become one of the most lucrative types of transnational organized crime in the world, with annual revenues conservatively estimated to be worth billions of dollars per year.  With such a lucrative market, this has led many criminals to engage in this illicit activity, driven by high demand and high profits for illegal wildlife as well as a low risk of detection. The items illegally traded include tiger bone, elephant ivory, bear bile and fish bladders, rhinoceros horn, sea turtle shells, pangolins, and more.

3.  Know what you are buying. Despite the conservation concerns, there are people who knowingly purchase such items, but there are also those consumers who buy the products unknowingly, thus further contributing to the issue.  They may purchase wildlife products, such as tortoise shell hair clips or elephant ivory carvings, without any awareness of the impact it has on the poaching situation in local communities.

4.  Don’t smuggle into America. The US government is taking a strong stand in the fight against wildlife trafficking, through the recently released Implementation Plan for the President’s National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking.  The Plan includes such directives as strengthening domestic and global enforcement, reducing demand, and expanding international cooperation.

5. Consumers have power. Buyers can play a role in helping to combat this global problem, starting with not purchasing any wildlife or wildlife products. When the demand for the products stops, so too will the number of animals being poached. Consumers can also learn about the issue, share that information with family and friends, and drive retailers to stop carrying illicit wildlife products.

5 ways to stop animal trafficking

1. Support anti-trafficking people and projects. Ofir Drori has been fighting poachers for 2 decades in Africa. He puts life and limb at stake while making sure those in the chain get arrested and face the punishment of the crime. 

2. Never buy wild animal products. Don’t fetishize them in any way, as fur, as tusks, as horned-rimmed glasses. An ethical question: should we stop wearing animal prints, even if they are fake?

3. Beware of natural medicines from countries like China. They are notorious for using rare animal parts that decimate wild populations of animals. They use tusks, teeth, brains, testicles. 

4. Eat only sustainable seafood and meat. Not rare lion steaks. Not sharks. Or shark fin soup. Here are 7 Gulf fish totally okay to eat.

5. Report any illegal wildlife trade or products to your local authorities or to Green Prophet. Wild animals often appear in unregulated markets in the Middle East in Beirut, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Cairo, Amman and Dubai. You might not believe your eyes when you see it, but it’s more common that you think. As one of our writers found out in the Emirates. 

Russel Simmons against wildlife trafficking

Numerous celebrities have also weighed in on this important issue.

“More awareness about the process and consequences of illegal trafficking is the key to stopping the harming of innocent animals,” says Russell Simmons, an entertainment mogul. “Raising public awareness is the first step in stopping the purchase of jewelry made of ivory or tortoise shell or clothes made with real fur and helping these animals.”

The Wildlife Trafficking exhibit was held at the Crime Museum from June 2015, through February 2016, and it provided an opportunity for visitors to view a serious crime issue, and learn how to be a part of the solution. For more information, please visit their website here.

Read more on animal trafficking:

Ofir is stopping poaching in Cameroon

Dubai Porsche driver walks cheetah on a leash

Live Baby Leopard Found in Suitcase En Route to Dubai

Injured Cheetah Discovered on the Streets of Abu Dhabi

Lion Cub Shot Dead in Egypt

The post 5 ways to stop animal trafficking appeared first on Green Prophet.

This pictorial encyclopedia of Jordan’s wildlife habitats, parks and reserves, canyons, and deserts is an essential companion for kingdom sightseeing, its compact size makes it perfect for tucking into a backpack or pocket.

I’d picked up a dog-eared copy from a Dublin charity shop right before moving to Amman. The little guidebook is packed with useful information about Jordan’s animals and plants, archaeological treasures, and fascinating geological history.

Two years later, I decided to treat myself to a new copy, and in the process, got to “meet” the author via the magic of email. Here’s my exchange with writer Jarir Maani.

Green Prophet: Who came up with the idea for the Guide?

The book is a collaborative effort between myself and good number of contributors.  Photographs and illustrations are by Mohd Maani, Habeeb Maani, Jarir Maani, Anees Maani, Karma Hijawi, Sulafa Maani, Gudrun Kroner, Aram Khlief, Nafila Maani, Majd Hadad, Leen Maani, and others.

GP: What was your motivation?

The book’s three main objectives are to showcase Jordan’s little known treasures; raise awareness and appreciation for wildlife; and highlight the human impact and urgency of environmental issues.

GP: There’s a “donate” tab on your website that seems a brilliant way to get the Guide into the hands of school children.  How successful has that effort been?

Unfortunately, this feature hasn’t been successful, and most of the donated books were actually purchased by the people that worked on the book. Although government agencies and private companies in Jordan supported creation of the guide, efforts to raise funds to donate additional books to needy children didn’t produce any meaningful result.

GP: Anything particular that you’d like broadcast about the Guide and your work?

The book has a sister app for the iPhone/iPad platform called Animals of Jordan that allows you to access this information anywhere.

We would like to develop similar projects for the entire Arab world, but the lack of financial backing and sustained support for educational and environmental projects limits what we can do. Having said that, we’re still hopeful and poised to tackle similar projects whenever conditions improve.

+ + + + + + +

The book, which is in its second edition (with over 45 pages of new content), is available in both Arabic and English and is sold in most Jordan bookshops and also online.  There is also a Facebook page with the same name that reinforces the author’s environmental message.

Tony Howard & Di Taylor, authors of Treks & Climbs in Wadi Rum and Jordan, said the guide is, “Detailed and thorough with good photos, nice-to-see geology and archaeology included as well as environment, the latter being particularly important – Jordan needs more people who care.”

For more information on the “Field Guide to Jordan”, visit the website (link here). 

All images courtesy of Jarir Maani

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Shark populations in the Mediterranean and Black Sea have dropped dramatically over the last two centuries and now risk extinction, with serious implications for the region’s entire marine ecosystem and food chains, according to a new study by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Administration.

“Sharks in the Mediterranean Sea have declined by more than 97 percent in number and ‘catch weight’ over the last 200 years. They risk extinction if current fishing pressure continues,” the study found.

“This loss of top predators could hold serious implications for the entire marine ecosystem, greatly affecting food webs throughout this region,” it added.

The study, Elasmobranchs of the Mediterranean and Black Sea: Status, Ecology and Biology, was undertaken by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, one of several FAO regional bodies working in the fisheries sector.

Sharks critically endangered

It found that cartilaginous fish species, such as sharks and rays, “are by far the most endangered group of marine fish in the Mediterranean and Black sea where 85 species are known to occur. Of 71 species assessed in the Mediterranean Sea in 2007, 30 (42 percent) were found to be threatened, including 13 percent critically endangered, 11 percent endangered and 13 percent vulnerable. Another 18 percent were categorized as near-threatened.

Cartilaginous fish have skeletons made of cartilage, rather than bones. Within that group, sharks, rays and skates are scientifically termed Elasmobranchs. Their biological characteristics, including low fecundity, late maturity and slow growth make them more vulnerable than bony fish, as their regeneration rates are slower.

Issues such as “overfishing, wide use of non-selective fishing practices and habitat degradation” are therefore affecting these species more than others.

In general sharks and rays have not been deliberately targeted in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, but caught accidentally. Annual aggregated reported landings in the Mediterranean and Black Sea currently amount to some 7 000 tonnes, compared to 25 000 tonnes in 1985 – an indication of the severity of their decline.

At the same time, however fishing activities targeting sharks are intensifying due to rapidly increasing demand for shark fins, meat and cartilage.

This is compounded by extensive damage to, or disturbance of, their habitats, caused by shipping, underwater construction and mining or by chemical, sound and electromagnetic contamination.

Among the most recent measures adopted by the Commission to protect sharks and rays is the prohibition of ‘finning’ (removal of fins at sea and discarding of carcass) and the reduction of trawl fishing within 3 nautical miles off the coast to enhance protection of coastal sharks.

The Commission has also recommended Mediterranean and Black Sea countries to invest in scientific research programmes aimed at identifying potential nursery areas and to consider time and area closures to protect juveniles of sharks and rays from fishing activities.

Other initiatives undertaken by the Commission have included the organization of several meetings and courses aimed at better understanding these species and their habitats and creating a background of Regional knowledge to guide GFCM Members in developing national plans to protect these key species.

Image of shark eggs via Shutterstock

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Remember the Porsche driver in Dubai who thought it was cool to walk his pet cheetah on a leash in the middle of a busy urban center? It turns out that if he is a resident of neighboring Ajman, he could have received a massive fine and the animal would have been confiscated. In a move that makes our green, animal-loving hearts sing, one of the smallest of seven Emirates and the home of our very own Green Sheikh, is the first Gulf Country to pass legislation which makes it clear that keeping lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles at home is not ok.

Law 54

In 2011 the Ajman Municipality passed Law 54, which states that the possession of all wild animals and reptiles in homes, apartments, and hostels is illegal.

This move followed a spate of incidents of non-domesticated animals escaping residents and endangering other people. The Green Sheikh told us in an email that this new law “protects the community from any danger and damages” that occur when crocodiles and other wild animals break free from their “owners.”

Ajman’s Executive Director of Public Health and Envrionment Khalid AlHousani told Green Prophet that the law was passed following surveys carried out by the department and complaints received from citizens and residents of the Emirate.

He added that anyone caught with a wild animal or reptile in their home (including lizards) will receive “a penalty of 10,000 Dirham (or $2,720) and the animal will be transferred  to a z00 or reserve park.”

AlHousani says “Ajman is the first to pass such a Law.We hope that others will do the same.”

image via Tafline Laylin

More on Crazy Wildlife Stories in the Middle East:

7 of the Saddest Wildlife Stories From the Middle East

Interview: Illegal Wildlife Trafficking With Karl Ammann

Middle East’s Wildlife Smuggling Puts Middle East at Risk

The post Gulf Country Completely Bans Ownership of Wild Animals appeared first on Green Prophet.

They are considered as cute little critters to some people, and they have been around since at least biblical times. But nowadays, like other animals that are classified as pests – like jellyfish during the summer months, or wild boar that often damage crops and orchards, the hyrax or Rock Rabbit as they are usually known in Israel, are now multiplying so fast that they are considered pests. Why? Because they are moving into the foundations of new building projects.

Classified by their Latin name Procavia capensis, these small furred mammals are common in many Mediterranean countries and Africa, where they live in rocky areas, and even in trees.

But for lack of habitat they are building their homes in rocks cast out by building companies,  mentioned recently in a BBC Nature article.

Would you believe Hyrax are related to elephants?

Hyrax are not actually related to rabbits at all, or even to members of the rodent family, such as ground squirrels or nutria both of which are also found in Israel.

Actually, they are in a classification that is more closely related to elephants or marine dugongs (sea cows), found in the Arabian Gulf.

The problem of an increase of the hyrax in Israel is also connected with the possibility of their transmitting a skin disease, cutaneous leishmaniasis, that  could be transmitted to humans. This disease, also known as “Alleppo Boil” or “Baghdad Boil” is transmitted by sand fleas that often are found on the hyrax.

Arik Kershenbaum, who has made a study of these creatures, told the BBC that the Hyrax has now become so bold that they are now moving into the man-made boulder piles, and have become curiosity specimens for people to look at,as well as to hear the animal’s distinct high pitched squeaks.

Hyrax pad thai?

People who are not attracted to them are now asking that their numbers be reduced. While hunting is one of the most used methods of culling animal pests, Israeli hunters have so far not expressed any interest in going after them.

Perhaps the solution might be found by migrant Thai farm workers who have been accused of poaching wildlife for food.

One might wonder though if even these people would want to go after these cute little creatures, that were called rock badgers in the Bible.

::bbc.com 

Read more on wildlife issues in Israel:
Jellyfish Attack on Israel and Lebanon Seacoasts a Clear Sign of Global Warming
Thai Migrant Workers Poach Wildlife for Food in Israel
Swine Flu and the Future of Israeli Pigs, Domestic and Wild

The post Biblical Hyrax Is Now A Pest appeared first on Green Prophet.

First a severe water crisis threatened to create a dire peril to both people and animals in Cyprus. Then we revealed a crisis gripping the island’s song bird population with over one million songbirds killed to make a popular pickled food dish. Now the common Cyprus grass snake, natrix natrix cypriaca in Latin, is on the verge of extinction due to a combination of the ongoing water crisis and the fact that government authorities simply do not seem to care. Cyprus News reveals that this snake species is endangered due to habitat loss near lakes like the Xyliatos reservoir and the Paralimni lake that is drying up, and loss of food sources such as toads and frogs that are disappearing along with the water.

The Cyprus grass snake is usually found  in watery habitats, where the snake’s food supply live according to a leading conservationist, Hans-Jorg Wiedl, also known as Snake George.

Cyprus wildlife has been under threat for some time as a result of illegal hunting and trapping, in the case of song birds, and environmental habitat depletion for both the snakes and their amphibious prey. Now the future for wildlife on this large Eastern Mediterranean island – divided by politics – does not look good.

Even though a sum of €60,000 has been pledged by the Cyprus government to instigate a breeding program for the snakes, no funds have actually been seen by Wiedl and other conservationists who want to keep the grass snake from becoming extinct on the island.

This is not unusual for a region where water supplies are becoming scarcer. Economic development in nearby countries like Israel has resulted in depletion of natural habitats for wildlife, with some species of reptiles and amphibians becoming extinct. Overwintering ponds for amphibians and reptiles are causing some native species to disappear.

While the loss of a small creature like a grass snake may not seem so significant to some people, it could result in severe changes in the wildlife populations; including species of animals and birds that themselves feed off the grass snakes. In the end, it’s a problem of where certain animal species are on the total food chain, which could eventually apply to us human beings as well.

:: Cyprus Mail

More about wildlife and human populations:

1 million songbirds are killed for picked dish in Cyprus

Israel Animals Killed by Economic Development

Turkey Facing its Worse Environmental Crises Ever

Water Problems in Cyprus Worse Than Those in Israel, Syria, and Lebanon

The post From Pickled Song Birds to Snakes at Risk appeared first on Green Prophet.

The Middle East doesn’t exactly have a great reputation when it comes to animal rights and, in some way, you can understand why. Here at Green Prophet we have covered stories including stray dogs being shot dead in Lebanon, people in Dubai keeping cheetahs as ‘exotic pets’ and the lucrative wildlife smuggling trade in the region. Even so, there are some organisations working hard to change that which is why we are happy to shine a spotlight on their work.

In Kuwait, the Society for the Protection of Animals and Their Habitats is inviting supporters to come along to a fundraising jungle-themed ball to help raise awareness of the plight of animals.

The Kuwaiti organisation, known as K’S PATH for short, is an animal welfare organization and operates an open door shelter, which means they accept any and every animal that shows up at their door. They provide medical treatment to animals and also run an education program in schools to teach children compassion and kindness towards animals.

Working on the issue of animal’s rights in the Middle East can be tricky. When I interviewed Ashley Fruno of PETA, she told me that campaigners often felt criminalized for their work in the region and one protester advocating vegetarianism was even arrested in Jordan. As such, it’s great to see organisations like K’S PATH rescuing animals and helping to place them with suitable owners.

K’S Path is also a charitable organization which doesn’t receive any financial support from the government- as such, they rely on fundraising events to keep them afloat. The fundraising Jungle Ball event will be on Friday the 18^th of November at 7.30pm and they are asking everyone to come in clothes inspired by wild animals (strictly no fur of course).

To purchase a ticket get in touch at events@kspath.org.

::K’S PATH

For more on animal rights issues in the region see:

Middle East Wildlife Smuggling Putting Species At Risk

Stray Dogs Shot Dead In Lebanon

Jordan’s Princess Alia Calls for Humane Animal Slaughter Ahead of Eid Al-Adha

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