Sauvetage des animaux du Zoo de Bagdad

Zululander honoured

‘My sincere congratulations to Lawrence Anthony on this tremendous achievement. Lawrence is a good ambassador not only for our Province of KwaZulu-Natal but for our country and Africa. I, as the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, am proud to be associated with Lawrence Anthony and his endeavours in both fields of conservation and humanity’
- Premier of KZN: Mr LPHM Mtshali

Lawrence with two of his Baghdad Zoo charges who survived the ravages of the Iraq war due to his timely intervention to initiate food and shelter

Zululand will feature on centre stage at the United Nations on 20 March when a singular world honour is bestowed on one of its citizens.
Lawrence Anthony of Thula Thula Game Reserve (Zululand), a well known conservationist and humanitarian, is being recognised for his recent endeavours in saving the Baghdad Zoo.
He initiated the rehabilitation of the animals, ensuring that they were protected and fed thus setting an example which other countries were soon to follow.
In addition Anthony instigated peace initiatives in post-war Iraq and has been named to receive the prestigious Earth Trustee Humanitarian Award at the United Nations on Earth Day 20 March, 2004.
Presented by The Earth Society for ‘Peace, Justice and Care of Earth’, Anthony becomes the first South African to be accorded this accolade.
Previous winners include, the former Vice President of America, Al Gore; Nobel Peace laureate Rigoberto Menchu; the Trees for Life and Green Peace Organisations.

Formal submission

During his stay in New York, Anthony will make a formal submission to the United Nations, proposing that Zoos and Wildlife parks be declared illegitimate targets of war and that they be accorded the same status as hospitals and schools in battle zones.

He will fly to New York to accept the honour at the Earth Day celebration of the Vernal Equinox as peace bells ring out in time zones all over the world on 20 March.
By no means his only contribution to humanity, his toil as the first private citizen to enter Iraq during the war, where he remained for five months, was immense.

Working with the Coalition departments of Human Rights and Interim Justice, he formally put forward the South African Truth and Reconciliation model as a humanitarian solution to the war-torn country, and addressed the first ever conference on human rights in Iraq.
During the five months he spent in Baghdad, Anthony founded the first SPCA.
He serves on the Board of the Brussels-based Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance which promotes the UN charter of Human Rights for children and citizens of non-democratic countries.

Human rights

HE ALSO acts as Commissioner for South Africa and Germany on the Citizens Committee for Human Rights, (CCHR) which has offices in 34 countries.

A fighter for truth and justice, Anthony’s work first became known in the mid-1990s when, working with CCHR, through the Minister of Health Nkosazana Zuma, he initiated a National Governmental enquiry into mental institutions, which exposed malpractices towards mental patients. His efforts led to changes in legislation and operational practices.

Anthony sits on the committee of the Association for Better Living and Education, whose ‘Education Alive’ adult literacy programme has benefited thousands of pupils and teachers in South Africa.
He also serves on Criminon a group offering moral and ethical upliftment in the rehabilitation of criminals at numerous prisons in South Africa.

Community work

But it is his work in local communities which Anthony has found most rewarding and which is his priority.
Much of this is on empowerment and affirmative action on environmental issues and projects, such as the Royal Zulu Biosphere project, alien plant eradication and teaching the benefits of conservation in remote, rural communities.

Anthony has travelled thousands of kms in rural areas holding workshops and meetings
He has done much to promote the culture and history of the Zulu nation and the restoration of traditional relationships between the people, wildlife and the environment.

An advocate of integration and non-racial attitudes, the modest ex-Empangeni High man has carved a place for himself - and the Zululanders he proudly represents - among the world ’s great humanitarians.

Baghdad Zoo Rescue

"The situation at the zoo is now totally under control, and the animals well fed and looked after by the team of zoo workers trained by Lawrence and Brendan."

"The zoo was the prey of looters stealing the animals for diverse purposes, as this picture of the birds in cage at the black market. Lawrence and Brendan, with the help of the coalition army and zoo staff, fought and had these looters arrested."

"The reconstruction of the zoo was done thanks to the help of animal welfare organisations, veterinarians, US military and zoo workers who provided unparalleled support to Lawrence and Brendan."

In April 2003, Thula Thula launched the internationally acclaimed rescue of the Baghdad Zoo, the biggest Zoo in the Middle East. Thula Thula's Lawrence Anthony, arrived in Baghdad, literally within days of American Tanks entering the city.

He was the first civilian to gain entry to Iraq. A battle had been fought in the surrounding park which had spilled over into the Zoo. Many animals had died or been stolen and the Zoo was in terrible condition. Lawrence was appointed Administrator of the Baghdad Zoo by the American Army. Despite the war environment, he coordinated the rescue with a few Iraqi staff members.They fed and watered the animals and stabilised the situation.

Not one animal died after his arrival. This initiative is ongoing, with Thula Thula's reserve manager, Brendan Whittington-Jones still in Baghdad, in his formal capacity as Operations Manager of the Zoo. The rescue of the animals in Baghdad reflects the special culture of conservation and care for wildlife that is upheld on Thula Thula.

"Brendan is still in Baghdad and will stay the operations manager until the end of 2004."