The Baghdad Zoo

In 2002, the Baghdad Zoo was closed for renovation, and as recently as September 2003, media reports described the facility as “a decrepit collection of dirty cages and sad-looking animals.” There is no evidence that Iraq has standards of captive animal care that are comparable to those in the United States or a regulatory agency to provide oversight of the zoo and to ensure humane and adequate animal husbandry. In addition, it is likely that the zoo has no steady source of funding.

The tiger cage at the Baghdad Zoo appears to be largely barren and devoid of environmental enrichment and adequate daytime shelter to protect the tiger from rain, wind, and sandstorms. The tiger apparently would be required to drink from the same water that he bathes in - a situation that is inappropriate for any animal, but especially for large cats since many of them use their bathing pools as litterboxes.