Starving Lion

Starving Lion

The word "emaciated" did not begin to describe the lion--you could see every rib, and he looked sick, tired, and old, not the king of the jungle he was meant to be. He paced along his enclosure, and a sympathetic tourist snapped his pictures. That tourist felt the lion was being abused and sent the pictures to PETA, the wonderful animal rights group in Norfolk, VA. On December 4th the matter came to me, and I was asked to see if we could help the lion through Aniplant, Nora Garcia's animal protection organization in Havana. Of course we had to try.

As it turned out, the zoo was in Santiago de Cuba, 500 miles from Havana at the extreme eastern end of the island. It couldn't have been farther away. But distance is no obstacle for Nora, who has animal friendly connections in all parts of Cuba. My contact at PETA was Stephanie Bell, their manager of cruelty investigations, and the nearly two months it took to resolve the matter seemed like an eternity to both of us.

Nora, in the meantime, got a report on the lion from a local supporter. As it happened, Aniplant was forming an investigative committee to evaluate conditions at zoos across the country. She used Aniplant's position as the only officially permitted animal protection organization, and her new committee to bring the lion's plight to the attention of powerful officials in the area.

Nora quietly pressed forward with a plan to help the lion, while Stephanie and I woke up each morning hoping the lion had not died. His picture surely looked like he was at death's door. On January 24 we got Nora's report, which I'll let speak for itself:

Dear Les,

Now we can report on the lion--at least the real information we got from the new director of the zoo.

The lion is timid, fearful, frightened, and did not have adequate attention, and as a result, its two companions ate while he hardly did.

This situation was not treated nor solved by the Park Director, and there were many complaints about the poor animal.

The intervention of the Party Director in that province (a high official) and the Popular Power and the Minister of Environment (another high official) and of course of Aniplant was achieved.

Solution: The old Director of the Park who had been there 30 years was fired, and his duties spread to other employees.

The lion is very young, hardly one year old, is now isolated and is eating alone. He's receiving vitamins and minerals (in short supply in Cuba) and he has gained some weight, judging by recent photos. He isn't on exhibition. He's not sick, but he is recovering.

The current Director, appointed only a week ago, is named Kenia Ortíz Reyes, a graduate in Social Communication and she has lots of motivation and compassion.

There are 13 lions in the zoo including the timid one, 2 black and one brown bear, and a rhinoceros. A hippo died a short time ago of something he ate--bad digestion. There are also birds, and other smaller animals.

The Park Director appreciates the interest shown and hopes for collaboration and help to improve conditions for the animals.

We are well connected with the Director and she and I phone each other often.

Whatever additional information won't have such a delay--it will be very rapid.

I hope you and Charlene and Stephanie understand the wait and that you understand my report.

A hug and kiss,

Nora

Les' note: I love happy endings