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Pictured
CAGED IN CROSSFIRE

ISIS jihadis turned Mosul Zoo into ‘staging post’ for months-long battles with coalition forces during which abandoned creatures were starved to death

The park boasted dozens of exotic creatures including monkeys - but just two animals survived fierce battle to topple ISIS

THIS starving lion and emaciated bear are the tragic sole survivors of the Mosul Zoo caught in the crossfire of the battle to overthrow ISIS.

Caring volunteers and residents are battling save the brave creatures which survived the brutal conflict in the Iraqi city.

Mosul Zoo was once home to dozens of exotic creatures including monkeys - but this sad bear is one of just two that survived
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Mosul Zoo was once home to dozens of exotic creatures including monkeys - but this sad bear is one of just two that survivedCredit: Reuters
A heartbreaking image of a lion looking at the starving carcass of a lioness which died recently after surviving bulk of fighting
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A heartbreaking image of a lion looking at the starving carcass of a lioness which died recently after surviving bulk of fightingCredit: Reuters
This bear was filmed pacing around its cage, as volunteers brought the animal its first food for a month
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This bear was filmed pacing around its cage, as volunteers brought the animal its first food for a monthCredit: Reuters
A helper feeds the only one of four lions which made it through the fierce battle to recapture the city
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A helper feeds the only one of four lions which made it through the fierce battle to recapture the cityCredit: Reuters
Tragic pictures of Mosul's zoo creatures have emerged online. The emaciated lioness pictured here is reported to have later died
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Tragic pictures of Mosul's zoo creatures have emerged online. The emaciated lioness pictured here is reported to have later diedCredit: Mosul Eye/Facebook
A brown bear was also caged at the horror zoo, in the midst of a city being liberated from evil ISIS forces
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A brown bear was also caged at the horror zoo, in the midst of a city being liberated from evil ISIS forcesCredit: Mosul Eye/Facebook

Iraqi troops have finally recaptured the eastern part of the city where the zoo is located.

Now these two starving animals have been fed for the first time in a month.

Saif al-Bassef, a volunteer sent by the Kurdistan Organisation for Animal Rights which delivered the supplies, said: "It's shameful to watch the animals struggle, they need help.

"They are not connected to the war."

Shocking pictures from inside the zoo show the ramshackle cages and filthy conditions which the lion and bear lived in.

A heartbreaking image captures the final lion staring at the grave of a lioness.

When military advances began in Mosul, Nour Park was turned from a home for monkeys, horses and other animals into a staging ground for Islamic State militants.

Neighbours fed the animals until fighting became too fierce for many to leave their homes.

Many animals were killed, others died of starvation and some escaped.

Park owner Abu Omar told Reuters: "The battle lasted for three or four months.

"There was a guard that used to come and feed them.

"When the battle intensified, it was impossible for the guard and animal handler to reach them."

Like much of the city, the once-peaceful animal park has been destroyed by months of fighting between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants
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Like much of the city, the once-peaceful animal park has been destroyed by months of fighting between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militantsCredit: Facebook
Twitter group Mosul Eye have launched a passionate appeal to help save the bear after its traumatic spell
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Twitter group Mosul Eye have launched a passionate appeal to help save the bear after its traumatic spellCredit: Reuters
The park, which also features colourful children's rides, sits in the eastern half of the city which has been recently recaptured from ISIS
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The park, which also features colourful children's rides, sits in the eastern half of the city which has been recently recaptured from ISISCredit: Reuters
People living around the park had been bringing leftover food to keep the animals alive but it was not enough
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People living around the park had been bringing leftover food to keep the animals alive but it was not enoughCredit: Reuters
Residents are said to be now working to clean up the park where the bear and lion are living
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Residents are said to be now working to clean up the park where the bear and lion are livingCredit: Reuters
A man stands next to a hole by mortar shell at Nour Park, one is believed to have led to some animals escaping when it struck a cage
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A man stands next to a hole by mortar shell at Nour Park, one is believed to have led to some animals escaping when it struck a cageCredit: Reuters

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At one point a cage broke open allowing monkeys to escape and wreak havoc on residents.

A child at the zoo yesterday displayed a red mark from a monkey scratch.

Faten Amar, who lives across the road, said: "The monkeys were jumping on the houses, scaring the children and stealing the fruit.

"Ducks and other animals were running around, the whole neighbourhood had to run around trying to catch them."

Many escaped animals were reportedly roaming free in a smaller park in Mosul's Al Murur neighbourhood.

One lioness had managed to survive the period of fighting but died recently, reported .

There used to be four lions, and it is claimed the two that died were eaten by the surviving beasts.

Anti-ISIS group Mosul Eye appealed to the world for help with saving the animals on Twitter, saying: “Alion, a bear and other animals, recently liberated from ISIL, are in need of an urgent assistance at Al-Murur public park.”

The group also uploaded an aerial shot of the animal park which is located on the edge of Mosul – currently being liberated from ISIS by Iraqi and Kurdish forces.

 

Volunteers sent by the Kurdistan Organization for Animal Rights Protection have now brought the first substantial amounts of food to the former zoo in a month
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Volunteers sent by the Kurdistan Organization for Animal Rights Protection have now brought the first substantial amounts of food to the former zoo in a monthCredit: Facebook
It is reported that this child was scratched by one of monkeys which escaped during the chaotic period as Iraqi troops tried to displace ISIS
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It is reported that this child was scratched by one of monkeys which escaped during the chaotic period as Iraqi troops tried to displace ISISCredit: Reuters
ISIS fighters left behind a huge stockpile of mortar shells after being overcome by Iraqi troops
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ISIS fighters left behind a huge stockpile of mortar shells after being overcome by Iraqi troopsCredit: Reuters
The zoo sits in the eastern half of the city that has recently been liberated by Iraqi and Kurdish forces
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The zoo sits in the eastern half of the city that has recently been liberated by Iraqi and Kurdish forcesCredit: Mosul Eye/Facebook

They later added that an expert from neighbouring Kurdistan had contacted them and agreed to care for the remaining animals after they were inundated with experts and well-wishers offering help.

Mosul Eye said on its Facebook page: “Dr. Solomon of Feta in Kurdistan will provide food and medicine for these poor animals. Also took charge moving them and care for them.

“Humanity is to consider every creature and spirit of the value it deserves protection, because when you learn to care for the animal and be kind to them, then you will know the value of human life, in this life.

“Everything is connected. There's no part that is worthless.
“Thanks to Dr. Solomon who called…and agreed quickly to save them.”

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