For a strife-torn country such as Afghanistan that has been ravaged by decades of incessant warfare, there may be many institutions that require rebuilding.
However, for Jamshid Noori, a young Afghanistan national who has just graduated from a veterinary course, the priority is rebuilding the Kabul Zoo where he has taken up work as Assistant Veterinarian. This passion has brought him all the way to India where he is on a month-long visit to learn various aspects of animal management from different zoos in southern States.
He spent the past three weeks at Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur, learning the techniques of tranquilising wild animals such as lions and tigers to administer treatment, diagnosing blood and faeces samples and handling various species. He also visited the snake and crocodile parks in Chennai before coming to the Coimbatore Corporation Zoo on Sunday. He will be proceeding to Mysore zoo and Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre (BBRC). His trip is being supported by Chester Zoo in the United Kingdom and Zoo Outreach Organisation (ZOO), a Coimbatore-based NGO.
Speaking to The Hindu during his visit to the Coimbatore Corporation Zoo, he said that Kabul zoo suffered heavy damage during the civil war. However, from just four species during the end of Taliban rule, the zoo now houses several hundreds of animals, reptiles, birds and fish across nearly a hundred species.
While it was presently focusing on conserving species native to Afghanistan, he says plans are afoot to bring in exotic animals from foreign countries. The skills learnt by him on this trip would help the zoo expand its collection.
Coimbatore Corporation Zoo Director K. Asokan said that they imparted training in reptile management to Mr. Noori. R. Marimuthu, senior education officer, ZOO, accompanied him.
