Taiz Zoo Rescue and Conserve Mission

Dear Supporters of A Lion's Heart Taiz Zoo Rescue and Conserve Mission,

First, I would like to thank each and everyone for your support of the Taiz zoo animals. Despite great difficulties, we have managed to support this war torn zoo for now five years. Thanks to your support we have managed to get a great deal accomplished in a few short months in 2021. We completed 20 water basins, were able to send much needed medications and vitamins, buy cleaning supplies, and purchase 50 Telinject darts for the animals for medicine delivery, and provide pest control including tick, worms, and mite control for the whole zoo. The Telinject darts and needles are good for three years and only need cold sterilization. So, the darts last and are some of the best in the world. Without your support none would have been possible. 

However, we have had some hicupps and problems with transparency with some information important and to all of us. While this information had zero to do with our projects themselves, We were sent two photos of dead animals from the SANID Organzation. They are a throughly vetted organization in Yemen and have their own projects in Yemen. Needless to say, this was shocking and upsetting information that the zoo manager left out of our multiple conversations. This was not how we operated in the past and nor do we want any future surprises. We have the photos and anyone wanting to see them is welome to contact us directly at contact@alionsheart.org. We are no including the photos in ths project report due to the sensitive nature.

We still have another issue. DHL is now running limited routes in Yemen. Which is extremely good news. This provides us an excellent way to provide the zoo with items no longer available in Yemen or in such short supply that price gouging is rampant. This was the case for the Teleinject darts. We had worked out a plan for the zoo's director and this was actually his idea. Currently, they are at A Lion's Heart's home headquarters in the United States and have been ready to send. The zoo director, after the purchase and logistics, went through a second party to say he needed $1,500 USD for the darts. Which is at least double what they would cost to purchase and send. We denied the request and insisted we stick with the original agreement. We were also going to send a live solar cam to have a live zoo feed for supporters to go to. After contacting the director directly, we have had no response. So, currently, we have 50 "supposedly" critical darts with zero explanation. Please remember this was not our idea or plan. Therefore, we are contacting again but if this request was not needed, we will donate the darts to Tigers for Tommorow or another worthy sanctuary.

There has also been a development in terms of funding. While ours has taken a nose dive because of lack of transparency and delays, IFAW, after 5 years of denying help, has decided to step up. Now, this is actually good news because they are a much larger organization with more resources. I am unsure if this will hold but if it helps the animals, we are all for it. This will allow us to go in and help with a more positive project in protecting Yemen's wild Arabian leopards and develop a program for their survival and continuation. We will always keep up with Taiz and will always be there for the animals but definitely need better communication and transparency. This is definitely a fear for this with IFAW but we are there to answer any questions. Our role and love for Taiz zoo is not finished or over. The animals are in our hearts and their health and welfare will always come first. All of our funds are secure and will be used to improve and ensure the survival of the amazing and valuable biodiversity in Yemen.g

We also have a very exciting and amaziing opportunity coming this month. Please stay tuned and watch us ROAR for captive wildlife in desperate situations. 

Links:

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