Gaza zoo struggles to sustain animals amid conflict

A zoo near the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza is struggling to keep animals alive amidst the ongoing conflict. Owner Mahmoud Gomaa, who previously operated the facility in Rafah, relocated the surviving animals after being forced to flee Israeli military operations in southern Gaza earlier in 2024.

Many animals, including lions and chimpanzees, are suffering from severe malnourishment due to critical shortages of food, medicine, and vaccines. Veterinarian Nidal Fadel noted that keepers are currently forced to feed the animals frozen meat, which is considered an inadequate nutritional substitute for fresh prey.

Gomaa reopened the zoo in Nuseirat with the intention of providing a sense of normalcy for local children traumatized by the destruction. The conflict has also resulted in direct losses; Gomaa reported that upon returning to Rafah after fleeing, he found only the bones of crocodiles and ostriches he had left behind, while several lions had disappeared.