By Amy Adams | President and Founder
Hello Lion Hearts!
First, I would like to thank each and every person that has donated to our project to support and help the Taiz zoo animals. We were able to send over $7,000 from Global Giving alone and it bought food, water, and desperately needed medications. It has been a true lifeline to all 286 Taiz zoo residents. However, I know our goals this year are much higher and we have been moving forward on achieving a better life for our zoo family.
We are currently in talks with Mr. Ghazi and the Taiz governance. It has become clear that we all must work in unison together to once again bring light to the plight of the Taiz zoo animals. A post here and there from Taiz zoo is not good enough. We want to have a weekly or bi-weekly report or video from zoo management speaking to everyone. If it is in Arabic, it can be easily translated but it will report on the animals' needs and will mention any animal that is sick or injured and what we need to focus on with improvements to the enclosures and the path forward. It is my hope that it will bring a better connection to the zoo for everyone.
We have also asked to get estimates on reinforcing one of the large uninhabited enclosures. This will include security barriers for the safety of any visitors. As most people are aware, the zoo is normally closed. However, all holidays, Ghazi loves to put more people on the ground (for safety) and allow families with children come in for free to enjoy a day at the zoo. Therefore, any revamp we do has to have secure safety barriers as well. It is our goal to reinforce one or two large empty enclosures for one to two prides of lions. This will get one or two prides permanently outside. Even though our donations are far from where we need them to be. This project is achievable for us and will give these embattled lions a more humane existence with grass, trees, and stuff to climb and scratch on. Heartbreakingly, these are all things these lions have never known but if it takes my last breath, they will finally leave that archaic cement existence behind forever.
I also know that we have dreamed and promised all new sanctuary type enclosures for everyone and we will get there but due to monetary constraints, we have to start small and do what is feasible and realistic for us to do. Little by little, we will get there. Our dream for these precious animals will become a reality and Taiz will be permanently changed forever. These animals, the people of Taiz and Yemen deserve this triumph and we will bring them the win.
Sadly, enclosures are not all that we have to focus on. Our priority remains life with food, water, and medications that are critical to our zoo families’ existence. Thankfully, we have had several individuals sign up for reoccurring donations and we are so grateful. The reoccurring donations are something we can count on to provide life's essentials and all improvements, including the revamp of any enclosure(s). It is funding that we know will be there for these animals and that provides security and stability for them. So, a huge thank you to everyone that extended their generosity to reoccurring. I cannot tell you how helpful that gift is and donations are life in Taiz.
Finally, I apologize for the delays on updates. I will be sending another report/update soon. It will include our new government contract and all the positive changes moving forward. We are just wanting more interaction from them about our zoo family. We would also like to install a live cam on either our outdoor lions or leopards. So, that anyone that would like to can watch our lions’ or leopards’ daily life. It goes without saying, it is past time for positive news for Taiz. We should be hearing from Mr. Ghazi shortly and will be documenting our progress on upgrading an enclosure(s) as well.
Thank You All Again and Happy Lion Roars,
Amy
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By Amy Adams | President and Founder
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