C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000501
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2018
TAGS: ECON, PREL, PGOV, IZ
SUBJECT: BAGHDAD ZOO -- RESPITE FROM THE URBAN JUNGLE
Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Greg D'Elia for reasons 1.4 (
b,d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Baghdad Zoo has reportedly become the
most popular destination for family outings in Baghdad.
Attendance increased dramatically in 2007, and continues to
rise. The Zoo Director told visiting poloff on February 11
that approximately 8,000 people visit the Zoo every weekend,
with families and couples comprising the majority of its
customers. The Chief Veterinarian noted, however, that most
visitors come from surrounding neighborhoods; residents of
more distant districts, including all six outlying qadas,
remain averse to taking a risky trip across Baghdad. He also
reported that, since 2003, local schools have stopped sending
student groups to the Zoo -- a regular practice before the
war began. Nonetheless, Baghdadis increasingly seek out the
Zoo's tranquility and calm, as well as its special features
-- including the daily slaughter of two donkeys to feed the
lions, and exotic fish with an image of the Iraqi flag etched
permanently into their scales. The Baghdad Amanat, the local
EPRT, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and ITAO have all
devoted resources to the reconstruction and renovation of the
Zoo. END SUMMARY.
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RAPID RISE IN NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE ZOO
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2. (C) Baghdad Zoo Director Adel Salman Mousa (strictly
protect) estimated February 11 that the Zoo now welcomes
approximately 8,000 visitors every weekend, making it the
most popular public park in Baghdad. "Hundreds" also come
every week day, explained Wassem Ameen (strictly protect),
the Zoo's Chief Veterinarian. As proof of the rising
attendance rates, Mousa cited the Zoo's dramatic increase in
revenues. In 2006, Mousa said, the Zoo's revenues from
entrance fees totaled four million ID (USD 3,309). In 2007,
these revenues rose to 32 million ID (USD 26, 479). In
January 2008, the Zoo earned 8 million ID (USD 6,619),
already doubling earnings for all of 2006. (NOTE: Each adult
visitor pays a government-subsidized admission price of 250
ID (USD 0.20), and children enter for free. END NOTE.) To
accommodate the growing interest, the number of Zoo employees
recently climbed to approximately 100 workers, Mousa said,
including 14 veterinarians.
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BUT MOST VISITORS LIVE IN DISTRICTS NEAR THE ZOO
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3. (C) The Baghdad Zoo feels secure to Iraqi visitors, Ameen
explained, in large part due to its proximity to the
international zone. It is located inside Karkh district's
Zawra Park, a 580-dunum, landscaped area that serves as
Baghdad's largest public garden. Iraqi Security Forces have
sealed off all of Zawra Park's entrances except for two, and
the Zoo now has only one entry point.
4. (C) Despite its reputation as a secure destination for
families, Ameen explained, the Zoo does not attract visitors
from all of Baghdad province. It largely serves visitors
from the city center -- from Karkh, where the park is
located, as well as Mansour, Rashid, and Karada districts.
Ameen said that many people still prefer not to risk a long
trip across Baghdad with their families in order to visit the
Zoo. Other post contacts confirm this assessment. Residents
of populous central districts, such as Sadr City and
Adhamiya, and the six outlying "counties" (qadas), including
Abu Ghraib and Mahmoudiya, visit the Zoo less often than do
residents of areas adjacent to the Zoo.
5. (C) Ameen noted that 9 Nissan district boasts Baghdad's
second most popular public commons, Kanat Museum and Park.
Kanat mainly serves visitors from Sadr City and 9 Nissan.
Mansour and Karada districts contain several, smaller public
spaces, and Rusafa's popular Abu Nuwas street has recently
revived.
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EID DELIGHT -- "BIGGEST CROWDS EVER" AT ZAWRA PARK
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6. (C) None of Baghdad's public spaces, however, attract as
many visitors as the Zoo and Zawra Park, according to Zoo
administrators and post's local contacts. Mousa reported
that he saw more people in Zawra Park during Eid in December
2007 than he has ever seen before during the 18 years that he
has served as Zoo Director. He estimated that over a million
visitors came to the park over the course of the holiday.
Ameen concurred, adding that he witnessed a "vast sea of
faces" during Eid. Mousa explained that people came to the
park despite the risks of joining such a huge crowd because
they felt "pent up" and "sought release."
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FAMILIES AND COUPLES, BUT NO SCHOOL TRIPS
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7. (C) Mostly families with young children and couples
currently visit the Baghdad Zoo, Mousa and Ameen said. Small
organized trips also come from veterinary schools and
orphanages. Many people return regularly. Approximately a
dozen adult visitors to the Zoo told poloff February 11 that
they return often because they find it peaceful and tranquil.
Ameen claimed that the Zoo is "one of the safest places in
Baghdad."
8. (C) Ameen also noted that, before 2003, almost every
school in Baghdad province scheduled an annual trip to the
Zoo. No school trips have come since the war began, he
reported. If the security situation in Baghdad continues to
improve, Ameen speculated, school groups may start to return
in 2009.
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GIVING SADDAM'S EXOTIC ANIMALS BACK TO THE PEOPLE
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9. (C) Ameen said that the Baghdad Zoo staff took particular
pleasure in reclaiming for the Iraqi public the exotic
animals formerly possessed by Saddam Hussein and his family.
Uday's pampered cheetah is now tame enough for visitors to
pet. Two of Saddam's three lions gave birth last year to
three cubs each; now the Zoo has nine lions on display. The
Zoo also has in its possession Saddam Hussein's former
stallion, Al Abor -- "the most famous horse in Iraq,"
according to Mousa. Saddam Hussein rode Al Abor in countless
parades and public ceremonies.
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ZOO HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS
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10. (C) The Baghdad Zoo also featured some primitive
practices, including the daily slaughter of two donkeys to
feed the lions, and some modern flourishes, such as exotic
fish with an image of the Iraqi flag lasered permanently into
their scales. (NOTE: These fish sport the old Iraqi flag.
Zoo staff could not predict whether they will employ laser
surgery to amend these now-outlawed, swimming flags. END
NOTE.) To ease the trauma of the brown bears' move from
Saddam Hussein's possession into the Zoo, staff reportedly
plied them with copious amounts of Arak; visitors repeated
rumors that the disheveled bears continue to imbibe this
powerful drink.
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IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ZOO ON-GOING
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11. (C) The Baghdad Amanat has invested in renovation
projects, including reconstruction of a restaurant inside the
Zoo. Other visible Amanat restoration work, such as the
repair of an elegant walkway at the entrance, continue to
progress. Various USG entities have also helped to develop
the Zoo's infrastructure and professional capacity. The U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducted a veterinary needs
assessment in August 2007 and this assessment currently
informs the Zoo's planned improvements. A leading USDA
veterinarian reports that the Zoo's 14 Iraqi veterinarians
lack the necessary equipment and knowledge to ensure the
well-being of the animals and the health of the visiting
public.
12. (C) To help address these deficiencies, ITAO officers
have worked to facilitate a training trip for some of the
Zoo's veterinarians to the Chester Zoo in England, where they
would receive mentoring and supervised training. Also, the
local EPRT provided the Zoo with computers and a high-speed
internet link to faculty members of North Carolina State
University, who use the link to conduct training for the
Zoo's veterinarians. Several private companies and
non-governmental organizations in the U.S. have provided the
Zoo financial and in-kind support.
CROCKER