Kandahar man sets up private zoo inside his home

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): An individual in the third district of the capital of southern Kandahar province has created a zoo inside his house, attracting dozens of visitors on a daily basis.

Mohammad Qasim, the enterprising curator, seeks the preservation and reproduction of the 25 animals, including birds, as well as entertainment opportunities for locals.

Mohammad Qasim told Pajhwok Afghan News: “I intend to invest up to $300,000 in my zoo, I love my work and the goal behind the creation of the zoo is the reproduction of rare wild animals.”

The zoo owner said: “No such services are currently available in Kandahar. At the same time, I also want to create entertainment opportunities for the people.”

He plans to expand the zoo to host more animals, including ones to be brought from foreign countries. The man also intends to establish a park for visitors.

Meanwhile, visitors commended the zoo creation, saying they are glad to see such an initiative taken in Kandahar.

Janan, one of the visitors, said: “It is a good step, because there is no other zoo in Kandahar. Youth come here for entertainment. The park being built will be a major draw for them.”

Kareemullah, another visitor, urged businessmen to invest in building parks and creating sites for preserving wild animals some of which are on the verge of extinction.

He added: “This (zoo) is the best investment in creating entertainment opportunities for the people and hosting animals for reproduction. Many types of animals have died or migrated to other places during decades of war in Afghanistan …”

Mwanwhile, National Environment Protection Authority (NEPA) official Abdul Rauf Mujaddedi called the zoo a positive move, saying an increased population of wild animals significantly helped protect the environment.

“It is the best investment, promoting recreation for the people, preserving wild animals and benefitting the environment. Other businessmen should also invest in such projects.”

In Kabul, there is big zoo with hundreds of different animals. This is the first time an individual has set up a zoo at his own expense in Kandahar.

aw/mud