Strolling towards the entrance, have you noticed the bronze statue? That is Marjan the lion. He was the most famous resident of Kabul Zoo.
Kabul Zoo stands as a testament to resilience. It mirrors Afghanistan’s own journey. The zoo is located on the bank of the Kabul River. It is next to City Park and near the Gardens of Babur. Around a million people visit annually.
Let’s step back in time. The Kabul Zoo opened its doors in 1967. It showcased Afghan fauna. It quickly became popular. In 1972, about 150000 visitors marveled at over 500 animals.
The 1990s civil war brought devastation. Shelling damaged the aquarium. Soldiers took deer and rabbits for food. An elephant named Hathi died from a rocket. Exotic birds were smuggled and sold.
The Taliban took control in 1996. At first, they thought the zoo defied Islam. Zookeeper Sheraq Omar convinced them otherwise. He cited research that Muhammad kept pets.
Marjan the lion became a symbol. He was born in Germany in 1974. He arrived at Kabul Zoo as a gift. In 1993, a soldier entered Marjan’s cage. Marjan defended himself. The soldier’s brother retaliated with a grenade. It cost Marjan his eye and hearing. Marjan survived two revolutions. He survived jihad and civil war. He even survived stoning by the Taliban. He died peacefully in 2002.
The Kabul Zoo once housed about 500 animals. They included 45 bird and mammal species. It included 36 fish species. Among them were two lions and Afghanistan’s only pig. Weekends saw crowds of 10000 people. Sixty staff members cared for the animals.
The zoo generated 15 million Afghanis in 2012. This increased to 33 million in 2020. In 2017, the zoo welcomed four white lions. These lions were saved from smugglers. The Kabul Zoo may expand from 17.5 acres to 71 acres.
The Chinese government donated animals. They became concerned about safety. A bear and a deer died from disease and poor nutrition. The Chinese stopped donations until conditions improved.
The North Carolina Zoo funded improvements. They built climbing structures. They provided standoff barriers. They assisted with a business plan. The London Zoo also shared expertise. They hosted Kabul Zoo Director Aziz Gul in 2019.
Today, Kabul Zoo remains a place of recreation. It is a place of enjoyment for Kabulis. You can see a pair of lions presented by China. Sloth bears pace in their enclosure. Wolves and vultures are nearby. The macaques seem happy. They dive into their moat.
Leaving the Kabul Zoo, remember Marjan. Remember the struggles and the survival. The Kabul Zoo embodies the spirit of Afghanistan. It is a story of endurance.