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Babylon's Ark: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo
The astonishing story of the soldiers, conservationists, and ordinary Iraqis who united to save the animals of the Baghdad Zoo
When the Iraq war began, conservationist Lawrence Anthony could think of only one the fate of the Baghdad Zoo, caught in the crossfire at the heart of the city. Once Anthony entered Iraq he discovered that hostilities and uncontrolled looting had devastated the zoo and its animals. Working with members of the zoo staff and a few compassionate U.S. soldiers, he defended the zoo, bartered for food on war-torn streets, and scoured bombed palaces for desperately needed supplies.
Babylon's Ark chronicles Anthony's hair-raising efforts to save a pride of Saddam's lions, close a deplorable black-market zoo, run ostriches through shoot-to-kill checkpoints, and rescue the dictator's personal herd of Thoroughbred Arabian horses. A tale of the selfless courage and humanity of a few men and women living dangerously for all the right reasons, Babylon's Ark is an inspiring and uplifting true-life adventure of individuals on both sides working together for the sake of magnificent wildlife caught in a war zone.
When the Iraq war began, conservationist Lawrence Anthony could think of only one the fate of the Baghdad Zoo, caught in the crossfire at the heart of the city. Once Anthony entered Iraq he discovered that hostilities and uncontrolled looting had devastated the zoo and its animals. Working with members of the zoo staff and a few compassionate U.S. soldiers, he defended the zoo, bartered for food on war-torn streets, and scoured bombed palaces for desperately needed supplies.
Babylon's Ark chronicles Anthony's hair-raising efforts to save a pride of Saddam's lions, close a deplorable black-market zoo, run ostriches through shoot-to-kill checkpoints, and rescue the dictator's personal herd of Thoroughbred Arabian horses. A tale of the selfless courage and humanity of a few men and women living dangerously for all the right reasons, Babylon's Ark is an inspiring and uplifting true-life adventure of individuals on both sides working together for the sake of magnificent wildlife caught in a war zone.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
262 people are currently reading
4636 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Anthony
8 books397 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: Lawrence Anthony
Lawrence Anthony (17 September 1950 – 2 March 2012) was a South African conservationist, environmentalist, explorer and bestselling author. He was the long-standing head of conservation at the Thula Thula animal reserve in Zululand, South Africa, and the Founder of The Earth Organization, a privately registered, independent, international conservation and environmental group with a strong scientific orientation. He was an international member of the esteemed Explorers Club of New York and a member of the National Council of the Southern Africa Association for the Advancement of Science, South Africa's oldest scientific association.
Anthony had a reputation for bold conservation initiatives, including the rescue of the Baghdad Zoo at the height of the US-led Coalition invasion of Iraq in 2003, and negotiations with the infamous Lord's Resistance Army rebel army in Southern Sudan, to raise awareness of the environment and protect endangered species, including the last of the Northern White Rhinoceros.
Details of his conservation activities appeared regularly in regional and international media including CNN, CBS, BBC, Al Jazeera and Sky TV and featured in magazines and journals such as Reader's Digest, the Smithsonian, the Explorers Journal, Africa Geographic, Men's Journal, Shape magazine, Elle magazine and others.
Anthony died of a heart attack at the age of 61 before his planned March 2012 conservation gala dinner in Durban to raise international awareness for the rhino-poaching crisis and to launch his new book, The Last Rhinos: My Battle to Save One of the World's Greatest Creatures. Following his death, there were reports that some of the elephants he worked to save came to his family's home in accordance with the way elephants usually mourn the death of one of their own.
source: Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Telegraph obituary
Please see: Lawrence Anthony
Lawrence Anthony (17 September 1950 – 2 March 2012) was a South African conservationist, environmentalist, explorer and bestselling author. He was the long-standing head of conservation at the Thula Thula animal reserve in Zululand, South Africa, and the Founder of The Earth Organization, a privately registered, independent, international conservation and environmental group with a strong scientific orientation. He was an international member of the esteemed Explorers Club of New York and a member of the National Council of the Southern Africa Association for the Advancement of Science, South Africa's oldest scientific association.
Anthony had a reputation for bold conservation initiatives, including the rescue of the Baghdad Zoo at the height of the US-led Coalition invasion of Iraq in 2003, and negotiations with the infamous Lord's Resistance Army rebel army in Southern Sudan, to raise awareness of the environment and protect endangered species, including the last of the Northern White Rhinoceros.
Details of his conservation activities appeared regularly in regional and international media including CNN, CBS, BBC, Al Jazeera and Sky TV and featured in magazines and journals such as Reader's Digest, the Smithsonian, the Explorers Journal, Africa Geographic, Men's Journal, Shape magazine, Elle magazine and others.
Anthony died of a heart attack at the age of 61 before his planned March 2012 conservation gala dinner in Durban to raise international awareness for the rhino-poaching crisis and to launch his new book, The Last Rhinos: My Battle to Save One of the World's Greatest Creatures. Following his death, there were reports that some of the elephants he worked to save came to his family's home in accordance with the way elephants usually mourn the death of one of their own.
source: Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Telegraph obituary
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 494 reviews
January 29, 2020
A few months back I read Father of Lions: One Man's Remarkable Quest to Save the Mosul Zoo, which also covered this zoo. Although I that one it was told by an Iraqi man who had a vested interest in one of the Lions. Lawrence Anthony was mentioned in that book, but just a short take, as the focus of that book was different.
This book covers Anthonys travel to the area and how that came about, as well as some history of the region. The main focus though is the animals and the condition I which he finds them as well as his struggles to find enough food to feed them. If you are an animal lover you will find much distressing within, but alternately your heart will cheer for Anthony and the many Iraqi citizens who came to the aid of both. There are a few comedic moments, but mostly this is a book about the condition of the Iraqis at supposed wars end, without enough food to feed their family, and those who went above and beyond.
This book covers Anthonys travel to the area and how that came about, as well as some history of the region. The main focus though is the animals and the condition I which he finds them as well as his struggles to find enough food to feed them. If you are an animal lover you will find much distressing within, but alternately your heart will cheer for Anthony and the many Iraqi citizens who came to the aid of both. There are a few comedic moments, but mostly this is a book about the condition of the Iraqis at supposed wars end, without enough food to feed their family, and those who went above and beyond.
May 18, 2018
This is a fantastic book. If you read the Goodreads synopsis, you'll get the gist of the book ... but you won't really understand what these people, and animals, endured until you read the book. The courage, persistence, blood-sweat-and-tears that went into this rescue is simply amazing. So many people risked so much just to make a difference in the lives of innocent animals caught in a war zone. I was deeply touched by Lawrence's efforts, and not only his, but the locals, and the American soldiers, that did all they could to assist. At a time when this land was torn apart, a few people stood up, and changed things for the better. Magnificent. Bravo!
4 Stars = It touched my heart, and/or gave me much food for thought.
4 Stars = It touched my heart, and/or gave me much food for thought.
June 7, 2021
Wow. Just, wow. What a loss the world has experienced since Lawrence Anthony has died - and most of the world has no clue.
It never occurred to me that there was a zoo in Baghdad and despite knowing that the Husseins kept exotic animals, I never once gave any thought to them until I heard of this book.
The insight that Mr. Anthony had into how to address issues, whether crisis issues or not, far exceeded their application on just a war-torn zoo.
In addition to relating the tales of saving the animals, Mr. Anthony revealed, literally step-by-step, his methods for success in such a way that this book is as much a problem-solving guide as it is the story of specific events.
I also learned so much about the invasion of Iraq that I didn't know. The nitty gritty details of daily life for the civilians as well as the soldiers.
It really is an amazing book and knowing that Mr. Anthony has passed away since completing this mission of mercy, saddens me deeply.
It never occurred to me that there was a zoo in Baghdad and despite knowing that the Husseins kept exotic animals, I never once gave any thought to them until I heard of this book.
The insight that Mr. Anthony had into how to address issues, whether crisis issues or not, far exceeded their application on just a war-torn zoo.
In addition to relating the tales of saving the animals, Mr. Anthony revealed, literally step-by-step, his methods for success in such a way that this book is as much a problem-solving guide as it is the story of specific events.
I also learned so much about the invasion of Iraq that I didn't know. The nitty gritty details of daily life for the civilians as well as the soldiers.
It really is an amazing book and knowing that Mr. Anthony has passed away since completing this mission of mercy, saddens me deeply.
October 2, 2020
4.5 stars - Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! A daring rescue operation in the midst of a combat zone and near anarchy.
Animal welfare isn’t a top priority in the best of times, even in the US. So when Coalition Forces invaded Iraq in March 2003, the animals of the Baghdad Zoo became another casualty of Saddam Hussein’s rule. Some of the caged animals did, however, become priority number one in a different respect. They were readily accessible food for starving Iraqis, the vast majority of whom had depended upon government-subsidized food aid. In a few weeks’ time, only the animals who were most capable of defending themselves were left within the bombed and looted remnants of the Baghdad Zoo.
South African Lawrence Anthony could have remained with his adored elephants within the safety of Thula Thula, his game reserve in Zululand, once news of the Coalition’s capture of Baghdad was announced. But he was haunted by the memory of Marjan, the lion of the Kabul Zoo in Afghanistan, who had been a casualty of war. In less than a fortnight, Anthony cajoled and bluffed his way through the bureaucratic powers-to-be in Qatar and Kuwait and received permission to go to the Baghdad Zoo accompanied by two Kuwaiti zoo employees. What they found after a nerve-wracking 9-hours drive into Iraq were lions, tigers and bears in poor physical condition and in a squalid environment, surrounded by their own excrement that had dried into hardened rocks in the April heat. Anthony wondered whether it wouldn’t be a greater mercy to euthanize the malnourished, dehydrated, and weakened animals, especially since he already regarded most zoos as nothing but “animal prisons.”
Lt. Szydlik, the US-military officer in charge of the area that included the zoo, told Anthony that the military had acquired some food for the animals. He couldn’t spare manpower, however, because there was still fighting within the “Red Zone” of Baghdad and the animals were consequently a low priority for the military. In his optimistic naivete, Anthony had believed that all fighting had ceased once the Coalition had captured Baghdad and Saddam had fled. The Coalition may have commandeered Saddam’s palaces, some government buildings, and the once posh, 5-star Al Rashid Hotel, but near anarchy ruled the streets outside of the small secured “Green Zone.” Anthony had voluntarily traveled into a hot combat zone.
Anthony also met Dr. Hussan, the zoo’s deputy director, on the day he arrived. Dr. Hussan and eventually a handful of other zoo staffers would reveal the depth of their commitment to saving the few animals left at their zoo. They would risk their lives daily by walking a few miles to the zoo through the dangerous Red Zone and dodging the fedayeen (those most loyal to Saddam), looters and any other Iraqis, such as the Mukhabarat (the secret police), who didn’t want any collaboration with the foreigners, but with the Americans in particular. In the early days, Anthony and the handful of others avoided succumbing to despondency at the scope of the problem by narrowly focusing upon the immediate needs, which was to feed, water and medically tend to the animals.
The reality of the wartime situation of Baghdad could not be ignored. Even in the once luxurious Al Rashid Hotel, flushing toilets and electricity were not to be had. Indeed, Anthony’s description of the rank smell of military troops who had roasted in the Iraqi heat only to return to bunk down in dirty and dusty beds was only slightly better then the smells he described among the beleaguered zoo animals. His first night in Baghdad was punctuated by parachute flares, tank shells and machine gunfire. His 6 am alarm the next day consisted of multiple Abrahms tanks revving up, gearing for patrol duty. Anthony and the two Kuwaitis were instructed on the necessary protocols to follow in order to avoid being shot by patrolling Coalition Forces.
The rescue of the zoo animals was truly a broad-based joint effort of local Iraqis and the international community. Generous contributions by international animal welfare groups, as well as by individual soldiers and mercenaries alike, were vital in the face of such a monumental task. Within weeks, Anthony and the others learned of Uday Hussein’s exotic pets, which included 3 purportedly man-eating lions. But what really captured Anthony’s intense interest was Saddam’s prized collection of Arabian horses, unique for their bloodlines that had originated 1000+ years ago with the Crusades. Trying to round up those rare equines was quite a logistical feat involving clandestine communications with Saddam's former employees and traveling into the hotbed of fedayeen activity.
Anthony initially acted as a coordinator and then eventually as the Zoo’s public relations person. He broadcasted the plight of the animals and the need for more formally-sanctioned aid because the Zoo required a permanent source of steady funding. This incredible zoo rescue story is not a simple feel-good story. There were serious challenges, one of which was a major international incident with the potential to ostracize the Iraqis and end the Zoo permanently. The wartime climate required sensitive handling of the nuanced political subtleties. The Zoo even lost Dr. Hussan at one point, for he had been arrested as a member of Saddam’s party, even though his actions only indicated a genuine motivation for the animals’ welfare. There were casualties.
This incredible rescue story may appear to be only about some animals, but in the end, it represented a great deal more. Babylon’s Ark symbolized the chance for normal life without a despot in charge. It is about the necessary transition process for a country to emerge from the destruction of war.
My only complaint is the ending of Babylon's Ark with its protracted explanation of Anthony's new advocacy project - The Earth Organization. It didn't seem to belong and be consistent with the rest of the book.
Animal welfare isn’t a top priority in the best of times, even in the US. So when Coalition Forces invaded Iraq in March 2003, the animals of the Baghdad Zoo became another casualty of Saddam Hussein’s rule. Some of the caged animals did, however, become priority number one in a different respect. They were readily accessible food for starving Iraqis, the vast majority of whom had depended upon government-subsidized food aid. In a few weeks’ time, only the animals who were most capable of defending themselves were left within the bombed and looted remnants of the Baghdad Zoo.
South African Lawrence Anthony could have remained with his adored elephants within the safety of Thula Thula, his game reserve in Zululand, once news of the Coalition’s capture of Baghdad was announced. But he was haunted by the memory of Marjan, the lion of the Kabul Zoo in Afghanistan, who had been a casualty of war. In less than a fortnight, Anthony cajoled and bluffed his way through the bureaucratic powers-to-be in Qatar and Kuwait and received permission to go to the Baghdad Zoo accompanied by two Kuwaiti zoo employees. What they found after a nerve-wracking 9-hours drive into Iraq were lions, tigers and bears in poor physical condition and in a squalid environment, surrounded by their own excrement that had dried into hardened rocks in the April heat. Anthony wondered whether it wouldn’t be a greater mercy to euthanize the malnourished, dehydrated, and weakened animals, especially since he already regarded most zoos as nothing but “animal prisons.”
Lt. Szydlik, the US-military officer in charge of the area that included the zoo, told Anthony that the military had acquired some food for the animals. He couldn’t spare manpower, however, because there was still fighting within the “Red Zone” of Baghdad and the animals were consequently a low priority for the military. In his optimistic naivete, Anthony had believed that all fighting had ceased once the Coalition had captured Baghdad and Saddam had fled. The Coalition may have commandeered Saddam’s palaces, some government buildings, and the once posh, 5-star Al Rashid Hotel, but near anarchy ruled the streets outside of the small secured “Green Zone.” Anthony had voluntarily traveled into a hot combat zone.
but here in anarchic Baghdad there was a sharp disparity between abstract theory and crisis reality
Anthony also met Dr. Hussan, the zoo’s deputy director, on the day he arrived. Dr. Hussan and eventually a handful of other zoo staffers would reveal the depth of their commitment to saving the few animals left at their zoo. They would risk their lives daily by walking a few miles to the zoo through the dangerous Red Zone and dodging the fedayeen (those most loyal to Saddam), looters and any other Iraqis, such as the Mukhabarat (the secret police), who didn’t want any collaboration with the foreigners, but with the Americans in particular. In the early days, Anthony and the handful of others avoided succumbing to despondency at the scope of the problem by narrowly focusing upon the immediate needs, which was to feed, water and medically tend to the animals.
The reality of the wartime situation of Baghdad could not be ignored. Even in the once luxurious Al Rashid Hotel, flushing toilets and electricity were not to be had. Indeed, Anthony’s description of the rank smell of military troops who had roasted in the Iraqi heat only to return to bunk down in dirty and dusty beds was only slightly better then the smells he described among the beleaguered zoo animals. His first night in Baghdad was punctuated by parachute flares, tank shells and machine gunfire. His 6 am alarm the next day consisted of multiple Abrahms tanks revving up, gearing for patrol duty. Anthony and the two Kuwaitis were instructed on the necessary protocols to follow in order to avoid being shot by patrolling Coalition Forces.
Of course, only a barking mad idiot would have sanctioned such hairy tactics; there was a great deal of chance involved, but these were desperate times.
The rescue of the zoo animals was truly a broad-based joint effort of local Iraqis and the international community. Generous contributions by international animal welfare groups, as well as by individual soldiers and mercenaries alike, were vital in the face of such a monumental task. Within weeks, Anthony and the others learned of Uday Hussein’s exotic pets, which included 3 purportedly man-eating lions. But what really captured Anthony’s intense interest was Saddam’s prized collection of Arabian horses, unique for their bloodlines that had originated 1000+ years ago with the Crusades. Trying to round up those rare equines was quite a logistical feat involving clandestine communications with Saddam's former employees and traveling into the hotbed of fedayeen activity.
Anthony initially acted as a coordinator and then eventually as the Zoo’s public relations person. He broadcasted the plight of the animals and the need for more formally-sanctioned aid because the Zoo required a permanent source of steady funding. This incredible zoo rescue story is not a simple feel-good story. There were serious challenges, one of which was a major international incident with the potential to ostracize the Iraqis and end the Zoo permanently. The wartime climate required sensitive handling of the nuanced political subtleties. The Zoo even lost Dr. Hussan at one point, for he had been arrested as a member of Saddam’s party, even though his actions only indicated a genuine motivation for the animals’ welfare. There were casualties.
This incredible rescue story may appear to be only about some animals, but in the end, it represented a great deal more. Babylon’s Ark symbolized the chance for normal life without a despot in charge. It is about the necessary transition process for a country to emerge from the destruction of war.
My only complaint is the ending of Babylon's Ark with its protracted explanation of Anthony's new advocacy project - The Earth Organization. It didn't seem to belong and be consistent with the rest of the book.
November 4, 2014
Bless the late Lawrence Anthony! And bless all of those who went into this horrific and deadly situation to save animals stuck in a zoo in the middle of the war zone.
The majority of the stories were very hard for me to read, but I know of these things and just got through them.
The strength all of these men went through to help these animals is very touching. It just goes to show there are people out there that will go through hell to help animals. And in some cases, it really is hell to save them.
A very compelling story all animal lovers should read.
The majority of the stories were very hard for me to read, but I know of these things and just got through them.
The strength all of these men went through to help these animals is very touching. It just goes to show there are people out there that will go through hell to help animals. And in some cases, it really is hell to save them.
A very compelling story all animal lovers should read.
February 20, 2017
As with the author's previous book, The Elephant Whisperer, this book was superbly narrated by Simon Vance. I loved Whisperer, and also enjoyed this book (but not as much).
Set in Baghdad in 2003, Lawrence Anthony recounts the restoration of the bombed and looted Baghdad Zoo. Through his first-hand perspective, we see that this hard-won success was a team effort, a cooperative. Helpers included local Iraqis, a few Kuwaiti vets, foreign conservationists (especially Lawrence), the military coalition (especially Captain Sumner), a few mercenary soldiers guarding the city, and reps from several international wildlife organizations (IFAW, Wild Aide, Care for the Wild, etc).
Kudos to them all! Remembering how those first responders carried endless buckets of water from the canal to the cages for dehydrated animals, I wish I could buy them all a cold one!
This is a heartwarming, inspiring, and informative account. Sometimes depressing. It's also interesting and thought provoking.
Quibbles: Some off-topic digressions and sporadic sequence breaking— skipping around in time when the author reflects back on something. (It was hard to keep track of time, but I think Lawrence Anthony stayed in Baghdad working freely for the animals for four uncomfortable months. When he left, the animals were recovering nicely and reconstruction engineers had rebuilt the zoo, giving it back to the city.)
Having followed this memoir, I now want to visit Al Zawra Park, home of the Baghdad Zoo. I want to see the animals I read about, like the dogs who protected the lion cubs during the war, and the terribly abused brown bears, old blind Saedia, Wounded Ass (healing nicely), and Last Man Standing.
Much as I cared about the plight of the long-suffering animals, I also cared about how the author portrayed life in post-war Baghdad, with looters and shooters, with starvation-level poverty and intense fear of Ba'ath party reprisals. This memoir put the televised Shock and Awe scenes in a personal context. And I grew to despise Saddam Hussein and his sons, Uday and Qusay. I was happy to see their abandoned animals rescued from their palace menageries: starving lions, camels, bears, ostriches, monkeys, etc. Interesting segment on the prized Arabians.
For more details of the events depicted in this book, see my reading status updates. Spoilers!
And here's a video: http://youtu.be/46fQBDfYAJo
I also read Captain William Sumner's account, Saving the Baghdad Zoo: A True Story of Hope and Heroes (written for kids, with color photos).
Set in Baghdad in 2003, Lawrence Anthony recounts the restoration of the bombed and looted Baghdad Zoo. Through his first-hand perspective, we see that this hard-won success was a team effort, a cooperative. Helpers included local Iraqis, a few Kuwaiti vets, foreign conservationists (especially Lawrence), the military coalition (especially Captain Sumner), a few mercenary soldiers guarding the city, and reps from several international wildlife organizations (IFAW, Wild Aide, Care for the Wild, etc).
Kudos to them all! Remembering how those first responders carried endless buckets of water from the canal to the cages for dehydrated animals, I wish I could buy them all a cold one!
This is a heartwarming, inspiring, and informative account. Sometimes depressing. It's also interesting and thought provoking.
Quibbles: Some off-topic digressions and sporadic sequence breaking— skipping around in time when the author reflects back on something. (It was hard to keep track of time, but I think Lawrence Anthony stayed in Baghdad working freely for the animals for four uncomfortable months. When he left, the animals were recovering nicely and reconstruction engineers had rebuilt the zoo, giving it back to the city.)
Having followed this memoir, I now want to visit Al Zawra Park, home of the Baghdad Zoo. I want to see the animals I read about, like the dogs who protected the lion cubs during the war, and the terribly abused brown bears, old blind Saedia, Wounded Ass (healing nicely), and Last Man Standing.
Much as I cared about the plight of the long-suffering animals, I also cared about how the author portrayed life in post-war Baghdad, with looters and shooters, with starvation-level poverty and intense fear of Ba'ath party reprisals. This memoir put the televised Shock and Awe scenes in a personal context. And I grew to despise Saddam Hussein and his sons, Uday and Qusay. I was happy to see their abandoned animals rescued from their palace menageries: starving lions, camels, bears, ostriches, monkeys, etc. Interesting segment on the prized Arabians.
For more details of the events depicted in this book, see my reading status updates. Spoilers!
And here's a video: http://youtu.be/46fQBDfYAJo
I also read Captain William Sumner's account, Saving the Baghdad Zoo: A True Story of Hope and Heroes (written for kids, with color photos).
July 27, 2024
Incredible story which I read last night, as I could not go to bed until I finished it. It's 2003, and the Coalition forces have captured Baghdad. The manager of the Thula Thula Game Reserve in Zululand in South Africa, Lawrence Anthony, fears that the animals of the Baghdad Zoo are endangered and heads into the war zone of Iraq. He soon realizes that the "Mission" has not yet been accomplished and that the fighting still rages in the city. He sees that the zoo has been looted and that many of the animals were killed. With the help of very dedicated Iraqi zookeepers, he does what he can to save the remaining animals. This is all happening as the fighting continues and the lives of the humans and the animals remain always in danger.... Amazingly, saving the zoo animals is made possible due to the invaluable help of American soldiers who did what they could " for the animals" even while they were busy fighting a war. Finally, increasing help arrives from the outside world.
One of the incredible things was finding two dogs living in a lion cage with starving lions. An almost unbelievable bond had formed between the dogs and the lion cubs in that cage ( Lawrence thinks they huddled together in terror during the bombing of the city ) and the adult lions did not kill and eat those dogs, although they were dying of starvation...
An incredible story indeed because it's about a person who was willing to put his life on the line to help suffering animals caught up in a situation beyond their comprehension ( we call it "war").
One of the incredible things was finding two dogs living in a lion cage with starving lions. An almost unbelievable bond had formed between the dogs and the lion cubs in that cage ( Lawrence thinks they huddled together in terror during the bombing of the city ) and the adult lions did not kill and eat those dogs, although they were dying of starvation...
An incredible story indeed because it's about a person who was willing to put his life on the line to help suffering animals caught up in a situation beyond their comprehension ( we call it "war").
June 26, 2012
A fan of Anthony since reading "The Elephant Whisperer," I was quick to pick this up to see what adventures he could get himself into this time. "Babylon's Ark" takes Anthony out of the lush, natural setting of South Africa and puts him instead in the urban, war-torn, city of Baghdad with IEDs and flying bullets. The few remaining animals at the Baghdad Zoo not killed or stolen by local looters were in grave condition and upon arrival Anthony considers whether it wouldn't be most humane just to shoot them all. But instead, Anthony decides to use the restoration of this Zoo as his personal "line in the sand" and attempt to save all the animals in whatever way was necessary.
At this point, it would be easy for an author to come off as cocky or single handedly responsible for all future good that would come. Anthony doesn't do this ever. Instead he shows how the saving of each individual animal was the result of several individual's collective efforts including the prior Zoo staff, the American military and civilians who walked five miles a day dodging gunfire just to slog water to thousand pounds beasts one bucket at a time in 115 degree heat for the entire day. The small victories accomplished collectively are equally offset by the looters who continue to plague the Zoo. Even the soldiers who personally donated their own money and supplies become upset when looters steal the sheep they'd purchased on the street specifically to feed the lions discovered at the Palace. It took awhile but eventually more organized and financially fit organizations got involved in the saving of the Baghdad Zoo and the Zoo was turned over to the Iraqi people once more.
Despite being pulled from his familiar Bush, Anthony proves that convictions can cross international borders and familiar lands. At this work's end you are left with a broader sense of Anthony's beliefs and it never sounds preachy. This work combines both humans and nature in...well, the way it IS all connected.
At this point, it would be easy for an author to come off as cocky or single handedly responsible for all future good that would come. Anthony doesn't do this ever. Instead he shows how the saving of each individual animal was the result of several individual's collective efforts including the prior Zoo staff, the American military and civilians who walked five miles a day dodging gunfire just to slog water to thousand pounds beasts one bucket at a time in 115 degree heat for the entire day. The small victories accomplished collectively are equally offset by the looters who continue to plague the Zoo. Even the soldiers who personally donated their own money and supplies become upset when looters steal the sheep they'd purchased on the street specifically to feed the lions discovered at the Palace. It took awhile but eventually more organized and financially fit organizations got involved in the saving of the Baghdad Zoo and the Zoo was turned over to the Iraqi people once more.
Despite being pulled from his familiar Bush, Anthony proves that convictions can cross international borders and familiar lands. At this work's end you are left with a broader sense of Anthony's beliefs and it never sounds preachy. This work combines both humans and nature in...well, the way it IS all connected.
January 30, 2021
Interesting/horrifying story about a conservationist who makes a dangerous and difficult journey to save the animals of Baghdad zoo during the Iraqi war. It’s fairly shocking at times, and is at its core and interesting story. The writing isn’t great which at times detracted from my enjoyment.
August 29, 2016
I read The Elephant Whisperer a few months back and fell in love. I've now read Babylon's Ark, and that love has only grown. I am dying to read The Last Rhinos now. Lawrence Anthony is not a "writer" by any means. There's a ruggedness to his works that confirms that his first focus is conservation and maintaining his nature reserve, Thula Thula. But Lawrence Anthony is a storyteller. And an incredibly gifted one at that. Having read two of his books now, I am in awe at how well he takes readers through these significant experiences of his life. It's a talent I dream of possessing.
As for Babylon's Ark, it would do our world some good if everyone were to read and take to heart the message here. For starters, it is phenomenal that Anthony managed to survive for months in war-torn Baghdad. I don't think I have the bravery to do something like that, regardless of how passionate I felt. It's admirable. Anthony vividly describes living in Baghdad; his depictions really hit home just how bad it was after we invaded Iraq and overthrew Saddam. Bedlam is a good word for it.
Then add to the fact that there are helpless animals trapped there, this takes the emotional reach to a new level. It never occurred to me, not once, that there may be a zoo in Baghdad with animals that were all but forgotten during this period of unrest. It's heartbreaking to think that this was never widely covered by the media, that humanitarian aid would have never happened had Lawrence Anthony not made a choice to act. God bless a man who uses his resources for such infinite good.
He makes so many good points here. What are we if not compassionate? What are we doing if not acting on behalf of our planet and ALL of its living creatures? What does it say about our species that we are so passive about the health of our world? These are big questions that need answers. It frustrates me to no end that I feel in such a small minority when it comes to welfare of others species. I pray that our world wakes up before it's too late.
Lawrence Anthony was a good man. It is a shame that he's no longer with us to spread awareness and bring about change. I know he's an inspiration for me. I encourage everyone to read his books and truly absorb the message he worked to spread - that there comes a point where you have to draw a line in the sand and say "it stops here."
As for Babylon's Ark, it would do our world some good if everyone were to read and take to heart the message here. For starters, it is phenomenal that Anthony managed to survive for months in war-torn Baghdad. I don't think I have the bravery to do something like that, regardless of how passionate I felt. It's admirable. Anthony vividly describes living in Baghdad; his depictions really hit home just how bad it was after we invaded Iraq and overthrew Saddam. Bedlam is a good word for it.
Then add to the fact that there are helpless animals trapped there, this takes the emotional reach to a new level. It never occurred to me, not once, that there may be a zoo in Baghdad with animals that were all but forgotten during this period of unrest. It's heartbreaking to think that this was never widely covered by the media, that humanitarian aid would have never happened had Lawrence Anthony not made a choice to act. God bless a man who uses his resources for such infinite good.
He makes so many good points here. What are we if not compassionate? What are we doing if not acting on behalf of our planet and ALL of its living creatures? What does it say about our species that we are so passive about the health of our world? These are big questions that need answers. It frustrates me to no end that I feel in such a small minority when it comes to welfare of others species. I pray that our world wakes up before it's too late.
Lawrence Anthony was a good man. It is a shame that he's no longer with us to spread awareness and bring about change. I know he's an inspiration for me. I encourage everyone to read his books and truly absorb the message he worked to spread - that there comes a point where you have to draw a line in the sand and say "it stops here."
April 10, 2012
Conservationist and Earth Organization founder Lawrence Anthony died in March at the age of 61. An insurance and real estate exec turned animal saviour, Anthony came to world attention in 2003 when, alarmed about what might be happening to the capital city’s zoo animals, he rushed to Iraq shortly after the American invasion. When he arrived, only a few weeks into the war, he discovered the zoo savaged by combat fire and ransacked by looters. The majority of the animals were gone, either killed by weapons fire, butchered by the city’s inhabitants for food, or removed to be sold on the black market. Although some American soldiers tried to keep the few remaining, highly traumatized animals alive–a pride of lions, a Bengal tiger, a terrified badger that had managed to burrow itself deep into the ground, and one nearly blind bear that fought off looters–their duties lay elsewhere, and the American military had yet to understand, much less sanction, rescue operations in the middle of an ongoing conflict. Enter Anthony, a man who’d already rescued a herd of rogue wild elephants on his Zululand game reserve. Through his energy and ceaseless efforts, these animal–as well as a pride of Hussein’s lions and his herd of prized Arabian horses–survived. Eventually, the US got into the act, and today, the Baghdad Zoo’s been rebuilt into what is reportedly the best in the Middle East. Whatever you think about zoos, this is a worthwhile read, though not an easy one. If you aren’t moved to tears by these animals’ suffering, you have no heart. To read or listen to more about this remarkable man, check out the obit in the New York Times or listen to NPR’s interview with Anthony’s brother-in-law and co-author, Graham Spence.
February 21, 2015
It is not possible to overstate what this one man, Lawrence Anthony, accomplished in his relatively short life. After reading Babylon's Ark and The Elephant Whisperer I now have a new larger-than-life-size hero to admire. This book is not a fun read, but an important one as we are all citizens of this sorely abused planet, and being informed of the state she is in is something we need to pay attention to.
Lawrence Anthony followed his heart to the war-torn city of Baghdad and along with several courageous individuals performed miracles in the direst of circumstances.
Read this - prepare to be heart broken, but also to be completely up-lifted. This is an important book.
Lawrence Anthony followed his heart to the war-torn city of Baghdad and along with several courageous individuals performed miracles in the direst of circumstances.
Read this - prepare to be heart broken, but also to be completely up-lifted. This is an important book.
January 2, 2016
This book practically made me weep with such sadness. I've read one other book by Lawrence Anthony, who is a conservationist. He runs a game reserve in South Africa to protect many animals. In this book, he decided to travel to Baghdad, war torn and still unsafe, to save the animals that have been abandoned in the zoo. The animals were starving and horrific shape. That was so sad.
The author rose to the challenge and tried to save them. This was such an inspirational story. Kind hearts speak volumes and can move mountains.
The author rose to the challenge and tried to save them. This was such an inspirational story. Kind hearts speak volumes and can move mountains.
July 23, 2020
Very informative, clearly written depiction of a horrible situation made better by Lawrence Anthony and his fellow animal lovers. Highly recommend. Appreciated learning a lot about Iraq.
April 27, 2009
While definitely not the pinnacle of good writing, the story is what counts here. I read about Lawrence Anthony and this book in a Sunday paper magazine in a pub and I knew I had to read it. I had no idea that there even was a Baghdad zoo (or a Kabul zoo for that matter), I suppose because I just didn't think about it. But that now makes me feel almost guilty after reading about what happened to these places and the animals in them that count on humans every day for their health and well-being.
I am no fan of war, and I don't really know if the American invasion of Iraq helped more than it hurt, but it was so good to see that among all the awful fighting, the animals brought out something in common among soldiers and citizens, Westerners and Iraqis, and that's the fact that many people have enough of a heart to care what happens to animals just as much as they care about people, which is as it should be.
Further to the great animal rescue story, some value lies in the fact that Western readers of this book will see Iraqis as normal people. After what we see on the news, I think it's really important for everyone to realise that the Iraqis are just people like everyone else and all they want to do is live their lives without such constant threat and fear. At the same time, no one in this book is perfect, including the soldiers, but you get to see a lot more about the people involved rather than the war that they are in the midst of.
I am no fan of war, and I don't really know if the American invasion of Iraq helped more than it hurt, but it was so good to see that among all the awful fighting, the animals brought out something in common among soldiers and citizens, Westerners and Iraqis, and that's the fact that many people have enough of a heart to care what happens to animals just as much as they care about people, which is as it should be.
Further to the great animal rescue story, some value lies in the fact that Western readers of this book will see Iraqis as normal people. After what we see on the news, I think it's really important for everyone to realise that the Iraqis are just people like everyone else and all they want to do is live their lives without such constant threat and fear. At the same time, no one in this book is perfect, including the soldiers, but you get to see a lot more about the people involved rather than the war that they are in the midst of.
May 22, 2021
This is the first book in several years that I was not able to put down till I was finished with it. It is such an exhilarating story of the revival of the Baghdad zoo and its remaining animals. The grit and courage of Lawrence Anthony is really applauadable and is a very good example of how much of a difference a single person is able to make to a grave situation like the starving and helpless wild animals of Baghdad amidst a gruesome war. There were several others who came in to help as well, but without Lawrance getting there in time to keep the animals alive, the others would have arrived too late. The undercurrent of the book is to show how low humanity can stoop and care the least about the only planet and its non-human inhabitants. This is something for everyone of us to introspect and work towards ameliorating the status quo.
January 5, 2020
Lawrence Anthony entered a war zone to save animals from the destroyed Baghdad Zoo - and succeeded. But not without problems. In the early days - or rather weeks - of the rescue, the looters in particular, the Ali Baba as they were called, made me want to go back in time, fly right there, punch them in the face and kick them in the balls. It's crazy what they had to go through to care for these animals, to keep them alive. And they were in constant danger amidst all that. I don't think many would have endured what they had.
They mostly dealt with lions, but also bears, some cheetahs, tigers, birds, goats, a fox, a badger, and a wolf. One chapter was especially interesting to me, although way too short: the rescue of Saddam Hussein's Arabian horses. Out of 70 animals, 41 were said to be still around, hidden. In the end, they only retrieved 17 of the horses. I just wish we knew what happened to the rest of them.
I'm usually recommending some "further reading," and I won't disappoint here either. I haven't read that one yet, but I think Father of Lions: The Remarkable True Story of the Mosul Zoo Rescue should be of interest.
---
Now for some thoughts. It's the first book I've read in 2020 and what a powerful one - especially its message toward the end.
Lawrence Anthony, the saviour of the Baghdad Zoo & a dedicated conservationist, sadly passed away in 2012. He was an optimist. He thought we can still save what's being destroyed. Maybe he's right. I hope he's right.
We don't realize how selfish we are. He fought for the animals from the zoo for the animals themselves, yes, but also for the message it sent: be aware of what is happening around you. For most, going shopping, going on vacation or earning more money to have a better quality of life is more important than anything else. Human life is a priority. When animals die and habitats are being destroyed, we think: oh yes, this is horrible, we should do something, but we do nothing, choosing to focus on ourselves instead. And I'm also guilty of this, as much as I try not to be. It's time all of us stopped for a moment to think what we can do, what we can change, to help instead of being part of the problem. People like Lawrence Anthony are the true heroes here. But we've lost even him. He started and ended the book with mentions of Marjan, the lion from Kabul zoo, whose image has haunted him. May it haunt us too. We owe them that much.
They mostly dealt with lions, but also bears, some cheetahs, tigers, birds, goats, a fox, a badger, and a wolf. One chapter was especially interesting to me, although way too short: the rescue of Saddam Hussein's Arabian horses. Out of 70 animals, 41 were said to be still around, hidden. In the end, they only retrieved 17 of the horses. I just wish we knew what happened to the rest of them.
I'm usually recommending some "further reading," and I won't disappoint here either. I haven't read that one yet, but I think Father of Lions: The Remarkable True Story of the Mosul Zoo Rescue should be of interest.
---
Now for some thoughts. It's the first book I've read in 2020 and what a powerful one - especially its message toward the end.
Lawrence Anthony, the saviour of the Baghdad Zoo & a dedicated conservationist, sadly passed away in 2012. He was an optimist. He thought we can still save what's being destroyed. Maybe he's right. I hope he's right.
We don't realize how selfish we are. He fought for the animals from the zoo for the animals themselves, yes, but also for the message it sent: be aware of what is happening around you. For most, going shopping, going on vacation or earning more money to have a better quality of life is more important than anything else. Human life is a priority. When animals die and habitats are being destroyed, we think: oh yes, this is horrible, we should do something, but we do nothing, choosing to focus on ourselves instead. And I'm also guilty of this, as much as I try not to be. It's time all of us stopped for a moment to think what we can do, what we can change, to help instead of being part of the problem. People like Lawrence Anthony are the true heroes here. But we've lost even him. He started and ended the book with mentions of Marjan, the lion from Kabul zoo, whose image has haunted him. May it haunt us too. We owe them that much.
October 27, 2019
4.25 stars
In 2003, during the war in Iraq, a few hundred animals were abandoned in their cages, unable to fend for themselves, in the Baghdad Zoo. When Lawrence Anthony, conservationist and owner of the Thula Thula animal sanctuary in South Africa saw this on tv, he knew he had to help. He worked as fast as he could to organize everything to be allowed in to Baghdad at this time. He was one of the only foreign civilians allowed in at this time, while war still went on around the city. The zoo had been looted, and most of the animals, by now, had been stolen, either for food or to sell on the black market. The ones that remained were not in good shape. This tells of Lawrence Anthony’s efforts to round others up and to help the remaining animals.
This one pulled me in from the start. Those poor animals. What a nightmare of a time, trying to fix everything up, get water and food for the animals (and the zoo staff who came back to help out – they needed food, too!), trying to keep looters from continually coming back, etc. With gunfire happening here and there all around. Really good book.
In 2003, during the war in Iraq, a few hundred animals were abandoned in their cages, unable to fend for themselves, in the Baghdad Zoo. When Lawrence Anthony, conservationist and owner of the Thula Thula animal sanctuary in South Africa saw this on tv, he knew he had to help. He worked as fast as he could to organize everything to be allowed in to Baghdad at this time. He was one of the only foreign civilians allowed in at this time, while war still went on around the city. The zoo had been looted, and most of the animals, by now, had been stolen, either for food or to sell on the black market. The ones that remained were not in good shape. This tells of Lawrence Anthony’s efforts to round others up and to help the remaining animals.
This one pulled me in from the start. Those poor animals. What a nightmare of a time, trying to fix everything up, get water and food for the animals (and the zoo staff who came back to help out – they needed food, too!), trying to keep looters from continually coming back, etc. With gunfire happening here and there all around. Really good book.
February 28, 2023
"It is a terrible indictment against the human race that it's possible for such places of brutality to exist."
Pfff deze quote vat het echt perfect samen, want jeetje wat een heftig boek. Het is echt ongelooflijk wat een groot verschil een kleine groep fantastische mensen heeft kunnen maken, niet alleen voor de dieren in Baghdad Zoo in tijden van oorlog, maar voor dierenwelzijn in Irak in het algemeen... Deze mensen verdienen stuk voor stuk een medaille ☆
Pfff deze quote vat het echt perfect samen, want jeetje wat een heftig boek. Het is echt ongelooflijk wat een groot verschil een kleine groep fantastische mensen heeft kunnen maken, niet alleen voor de dieren in Baghdad Zoo in tijden van oorlog, maar voor dierenwelzijn in Irak in het algemeen... Deze mensen verdienen stuk voor stuk een medaille ☆
April 7, 2008
This book tells the fascinating story of a conservationist from South Africa who decided to save the Baghdad Zoo in the middle of the Second Gulf War. He sweet-talked his way into Kuwait, bludgeoned and bonhomie-d his way from there in Iraq with a rented Toyota and two Kuwaiti zoo workers.
The story is stunning. Unfortunately, though Lawrence Anthony has many gifts, writing is not one of them. (Hence the presence of the co-author). The book's quality of writing, pacing and language are extremely uneven. It wanders between a charming story, told exactly as you would hear it over cold beers, to a cliched action-adventure novel. Fortunately, the heart of the book, and the amount that Anthony cared for the animals in peril and his gratitude toward anyone who helped them (even misguided helpers) shines through and makes you, if not overlook, at least be a tad more tolerant of the book's flaws.
I have always had a problem with people who begrudge help given to non-humans in crisis situations. These are the people that believe all the humans must be safe and happy first, then we can worry about the animals, the environment, and the rest of the globe. This book, for the first time, has helped me articulate what is wrong with that thought-process.
The last five pages of the book devolve into a monologue on how humans treat the planet. It's all true of course; and also exactly what any conservation-minded person could sit down and hack out in two hours. But the value of this book lies in the amazing true story, and in the analogy drawn between the neglect of the zoo's animals and the outright looting of the zoo, and the way humans treat the Earth.
The story is stunning. Unfortunately, though Lawrence Anthony has many gifts, writing is not one of them. (Hence the presence of the co-author). The book's quality of writing, pacing and language are extremely uneven. It wanders between a charming story, told exactly as you would hear it over cold beers, to a cliched action-adventure novel. Fortunately, the heart of the book, and the amount that Anthony cared for the animals in peril and his gratitude toward anyone who helped them (even misguided helpers) shines through and makes you, if not overlook, at least be a tad more tolerant of the book's flaws.
I have always had a problem with people who begrudge help given to non-humans in crisis situations. These are the people that believe all the humans must be safe and happy first, then we can worry about the animals, the environment, and the rest of the globe. This book, for the first time, has helped me articulate what is wrong with that thought-process.
The last five pages of the book devolve into a monologue on how humans treat the planet. It's all true of course; and also exactly what any conservation-minded person could sit down and hack out in two hours. But the value of this book lies in the amazing true story, and in the analogy drawn between the neglect of the zoo's animals and the outright looting of the zoo, and the way humans treat the Earth.
January 18, 2017
I did not enjoy this as much as Elephant Whisperer, but I can still recommend it. There are a few pages that seemed to be a "cut and paste" from Elephant Whisperer, but that is my only complaint. The story is compelling and the writing is clear. If you have enjoyed Lawrence Anthony's work in the past, this will not disappoint.
November 29, 2023
"We lived in a world, I continued, where the environment and animals were viciously abused and soon we are going to pay a terrible price for our neglect. Here in Iraq, we would make a stand that would send a message to fellow humans: that you don't do this to other creatures"
"This fight for the planet is not over. Not by a long way."
"This fight for the planet is not over. Not by a long way."
April 20, 2023
"We lived in a world, I continued, where the environment and animals were viciously abused and soon we are going to pay a terrible price for our neglect. Here in Iraq, we would make a stand that would send a message to fellow humans: that you don't do this to fellow creatures."
~ Lawrence anthony
~ Lawrence anthony
June 7, 2025
Amazing story of persistence and compassion at a time and place where they were lacking. SO thankful for this man and his stubbornness to help the starving/thirsting animals and rescuing them from Saddam's palace and Uday's "love nest". Such awful dictators, but the average people really helped too.
February 11, 2020
This is a well placed plea to treat our planet and animals with respect and kindness . Intensely hard work went into saving the starving remnants of the Baghdad zoo's animals. There is rescue of miserable creatures trapped in private menagerie and palaces . The incredible undertaking to lead a war torn country to modern animal husbandry gives hope for people to see one another with charity.
January 1, 2011
Think about what things you are willing to do to help animals. Make a donation to a charity? Volunteer at a local shelter or sanctuary? Perhaps assist with rescues? How about camping yourself in the middle of a war-torn region with the minimum of resources and a lot of gunfire? That is exactly what one man, Lawrence Anthony, did.
This book tells the remarkable story of Lawrence who decided to prove a point about the value of wildlife by venturing into war-torn Baghdad to save the deserted animals at the zoo. It would have been far easier to shoot those animals on the spot when he arrived to put them out of their misery, but this was not why he was there. He was there to say that the callousness of humans against nature and animals has gone too far and that those animals deserve life and respect.
Anthony Lawrence is an engaging storyteller and if I did not know better I would think that some of the events that happened were fiction. I must admit that I have very little knowledge of the situation in Iraq before the war so it was interesting yet appalling to read about some of that too. It gives a backdrop as to how animals could be relegated to such deplorable conditions. Saddam Hussein, his administration and his family reigned terror on their people and this reflected in how the animals were treated.
Another fascinating aspect of the book was the ethics of animal conservation. Anthony Lawrence states that theory can be nice but when faced with practical reality you have to be "pragmatic". He was referring specifically to some conservationists' objections to using donkeys as meat for the lions. The final chapters bring the clashes of various agencies and ideologies to the fore - should captive animals be set free? Should animals be considered property or cultural "assets"? What is the place of zoos and what compromises can be made?
From my point of view, there is a real dilemma in killing animals to feed carnivorous beings like lions. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. But there is absolutely no need for humans to do so to feed themselves as they did in this book. I also did not understand the arbitrary nature of the conservationists wanting to save the horses from Arabian stock but not 'regular' horses. This is putting an anthropocentric rationale as to which beings to save purely on their economic value and heritage rather than their inherent right to life.
Overall, this is a very engaging book from a pure storytelling point of view. I have nothing but admiration and esteem for people who will risk their lives to assist those in situations of hardship and exploitation. It was a very thought-provoking story but in my opinion, falls short in the solutions offered.
This book tells the remarkable story of Lawrence who decided to prove a point about the value of wildlife by venturing into war-torn Baghdad to save the deserted animals at the zoo. It would have been far easier to shoot those animals on the spot when he arrived to put them out of their misery, but this was not why he was there. He was there to say that the callousness of humans against nature and animals has gone too far and that those animals deserve life and respect.
Anthony Lawrence is an engaging storyteller and if I did not know better I would think that some of the events that happened were fiction. I must admit that I have very little knowledge of the situation in Iraq before the war so it was interesting yet appalling to read about some of that too. It gives a backdrop as to how animals could be relegated to such deplorable conditions. Saddam Hussein, his administration and his family reigned terror on their people and this reflected in how the animals were treated.
Another fascinating aspect of the book was the ethics of animal conservation. Anthony Lawrence states that theory can be nice but when faced with practical reality you have to be "pragmatic". He was referring specifically to some conservationists' objections to using donkeys as meat for the lions. The final chapters bring the clashes of various agencies and ideologies to the fore - should captive animals be set free? Should animals be considered property or cultural "assets"? What is the place of zoos and what compromises can be made?
From my point of view, there is a real dilemma in killing animals to feed carnivorous beings like lions. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. But there is absolutely no need for humans to do so to feed themselves as they did in this book. I also did not understand the arbitrary nature of the conservationists wanting to save the horses from Arabian stock but not 'regular' horses. This is putting an anthropocentric rationale as to which beings to save purely on their economic value and heritage rather than their inherent right to life.
Overall, this is a very engaging book from a pure storytelling point of view. I have nothing but admiration and esteem for people who will risk their lives to assist those in situations of hardship and exploitation. It was a very thought-provoking story but in my opinion, falls short in the solutions offered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2021
Audiobook read by Simon Vance
4****
Subtitle: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo
Lawrence Anthony was a well-known conservationist and advocate for animals, running a game reserve (Thula Thula) in South Africa when images on CNN of the war in Baghdad caught his attention. He was horrified at the potential loss of wildlife at that war-ravaged city’s zoo, and knew he had to somehow go help. And so, against all odds, he did. This is the story of his work there.
It’s quite the adventure. From just getting into the war zone (the zoo being in the middle of the action), to dealing with the continued looting, to begging for supplies and then for security everything was a challenge and a half. He paid staff out of his own pockets, and scrounged food for them and their families so that the precious supplies at the zoo could be allocated to keeping the animals there alive. And then he discovered the many “private” zoos … from Sadam’s son, Uday, and other wealthy owners he rescued many mismanaged and starving animals. His was truly a labor of love, and one hopes that his efforts have continued to pay dividends in better treatment, more habitat-enhanced enclosures, and a renewed local pride in this marvelous resource for both education and amusement.
Simon Vance does a fine job narrating the audio. He’s narrated Anthony’s other books as well, and I really enjoy the way he reads them.
4****
Subtitle: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo
Lawrence Anthony was a well-known conservationist and advocate for animals, running a game reserve (Thula Thula) in South Africa when images on CNN of the war in Baghdad caught his attention. He was horrified at the potential loss of wildlife at that war-ravaged city’s zoo, and knew he had to somehow go help. And so, against all odds, he did. This is the story of his work there.
It’s quite the adventure. From just getting into the war zone (the zoo being in the middle of the action), to dealing with the continued looting, to begging for supplies and then for security everything was a challenge and a half. He paid staff out of his own pockets, and scrounged food for them and their families so that the precious supplies at the zoo could be allocated to keeping the animals there alive. And then he discovered the many “private” zoos … from Sadam’s son, Uday, and other wealthy owners he rescued many mismanaged and starving animals. His was truly a labor of love, and one hopes that his efforts have continued to pay dividends in better treatment, more habitat-enhanced enclosures, and a renewed local pride in this marvelous resource for both education and amusement.
Simon Vance does a fine job narrating the audio. He’s narrated Anthony’s other books as well, and I really enjoy the way he reads them.
April 22, 2022
Babylon's Ark is the story of a determined man who decided he needed to save whatever animals were left in the Bagdad Zoo after all hell broke loose in 2003 and the war was supposed to be over. This book provides a brief, though often (and sometimes sad) account of the bureaucratic hurdles that had to be surmounted, the search for medical and food provisions for the animals and their human keepers, dealing with looters, the rescue of other neglected animals in the city (usually with military aid), friends found, and enemies (sort of) made. I found the writing lack-luster and short on pertinent details. I suppose I wanted more specifics than "they spent the day scrubbing the cages down" or "procured a donkey for the lions". I wanted more about the animals. None-the-less, I found this an interesting story and one that needed to be told.
April 27, 2016
3 1/2 ⭐️! Difficult decision, for both of L. Anthony's books on elephants and rhinos had received a five⭐️! This one was because it had been very difficult to read with all of those inhumane stories of neglected animals during the wartime, which was terrible-had to put the book down a lot...Many stars to all those who made such a positively heart-warming and hard-working sacrifice to those left behind animals--the animals and those animal caretakers that spent their time, money, investment, and much more are a blessing to the planet. Am very happy to read that the animals are now in better and caring hands-
April 14, 2018
Lawrence Anthony's journey into war-torn Iraq to save zoo animals in danger of dying through neglect and starvation is an inspirational story of compassion and courage. The full-colour photographs are a welcome addition. I read this book about a year after it came out and it still resonates.
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