Security improvements help Baghdad Zoo attendance

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One of two Bengal tigers donated by a North Carolina animal sanctuary enjoys a juicy slice of meat Thursday at the Baghdad Zoo.


Security improvements help Baghdad Zoo attendance
By James Warden, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s security improvements are even affecting animals at the Baghdad Zoo.

Zoo visitation climbed from 1 million in 2007 to more than 5 million in 2008 as Iraqis grew more comfortable traveling to Baghdad’s Karkh district, where the zoo and its surrounding Zawra park are located.

"This place is relatively inexpensive and it is the only place, as a park, where people can get away from the crowded parts of the city," said Adel Salman Mousa, the zoo director.

The price is certainly right for a first date. For just 250 dinars, or less than a quarter, visitors can see a variety of animals including chimpanzees and Bengal tigers donated by a North Carolina animal sanctuary. The zoo also houses the famed man-eating lions that one of Saddam Hussein’s sons kept, although zoo veterinarian Wasseen Sarih said their reputation is overblown. The workers are especially fond of the pride’s friendly male lion.

"We like to play with him," he said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60268