Devastating images show thin lions at zoo as bombs continue to rain on Gaza

02 January 2024 , 23:56

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Lions struggle to find food and medical treatment in the zoo (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

These harrowing photos show painfully thin lions and emaciated monkeys starving to death in a zoo in war-torn Gaza.

The images, released today, were taken at Rafah Zoo in the southern Gaza Strip where lions, monkeys and parrots have been struggling to find food and medical treatment in the 12 weeks since the conflict started.

Some animals have already died due to starvation and others continue to live under harsh conditions whilst dozens of destitute Palestinians are camping in their cages in the private zoo, run by the Gomaa family.

Four monkeys have passed away and a fifth is now so weak it cannot even feed itself, zoo owner Ahmed Gomaa told the media. He also fears for his two lion cubs, whose mother has lost half her weight since the conflict started, going from daily meals of chicken to weekly servings of bread.

Animals live under harsh conditions at the zoo due the Israeli attacks (Anadolu via Getty Images)

"We feed them dry bread soaked in water just to keep them alive. The situation is tragic really," Mr Gomaa said. "Cases of starvation, weakness, anaemia. These problems are widespread. There is no food."

Furious chimp launches bottle at girl filming him leaving her bleeding at zoo

Nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been driven from their homes due to the Israeli bombardment that has reduced much of the territory to rubble. Many are now sleeping on street corners and in empty lots in the southern city of Rafah.

A line of plastic tents stood near the animal pens at Rafah Zoo yesterday, and washing hung from lines between the palm trees. Mr Gomaa shared his despair at the situation his country faces. The business owner, who fled Gaza City, added: "There are many families who have been completely wiped out. Now all our family is staying in this zoo."

A UN-backed report last week warned that Gaza was at risk of famine with the entire population facing crisis levels of hunger. Israel stopped all food, medicine, power and fuel imports into Gaza at the start of the war.

But Israel's Defence Forces (IDF) have said they are close to assuming operational control in the north of the Strip, where relentless aerial bombardments have been ongoing since Israel declared war on Hamas following the October 7 invasion.

Bradley Jolly