Last survivors of Mosul zoo are looking a lot better after being flown to safety

The last two surviving animals from a war-battered zoo in Mosul are being cared for after they were flown to Jordan.

Simba the lion and Lula the bear were discovered covered in dirt and faeces inside their cages at the private zoo in February.

They had somehow manage to survive the war zone in Iraq while other animals had either starved to death or escaped when a shell hit the enclosure.

Now both animals are regaining their health and are already looking a lot better than when they were found.

Vet Amir Khalil from the Four Paws charity, said: “They were on the brink of death. Now they are able to move, they have gained weight. Physically, they are doing better.”

However, it wasn’t an easy journey back to health as it took two weeks to sort out the paperwork for them to finally be transported out of their hellish home.

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Simba had been diagnosed with skin lesions, joint problems and eye inflammation, while Lula was suffering from diarrhoea and bad teeth.

After their rescue began, the animals were left stuck at the side of a dusty road on the border for 12 days while permits were secured.

Simba developed a respiratory problem as a result of the delay but now they are finally in Jordan, where they will go through a rehabilitation program before being transferred to larger enclosures when their health stabilises.

Yavor Gechev from Four Paws added: “This is the beginning of a new life for the animals.

“From now on, they won’t have to be part of this war.”

The battle for the control of Western Mosul is ongoing, with Iraqi forces attempting to reclaim territory held by Islamic State.

Top pic: Reuters