A wildlife sanctuary home to 25 lions and other animals has been threatened by the intense fighting that has rocked Sudan, destroyed the country, and killed hundreds.
The facility said there was no electricity to power the security fence around the barn and a lack of food for the cats, which each needs between 5 and 10 kilograms (11 to 22 pounds) of meat per day.
Violence broke out in the capital and across Sudan on April 15 between forces loyal to army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his rival, deputy general Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commanded the forces. strong paramilitary fast support force.
Clashes have left more than 400 people dead and thousands injured and threaten to trigger wider chaos in the northeastern African country, which is already one of the world’s poorest.
“Firstly, may Allah protect Sudan and the people of Sudan,” said a statement by the Sudan Animal Rescue Centre, which went on to warn that the situation at the sanctuary had also become “critical”.
It said it no longer had a permanent staff presence at the sanctuary, located an hour’s drive South-Eeast of Khartoum near a military base that had been rocked by “deadly clashes on a daily basis”.
The sanctuary houses 25 lions and various other animals including gazelles, camels, monkeys, hyenas and birds.
“We are under tremendous pressure due to the current power outage, and our stocks of food and drink are beginning to run out,” it said, adding that one of its vehicles had been stolen.
The power outage had become “a real threat” because the facility relies on electricity to power equipment for the animal enclosures.
“We therefore appeal to all officials and those with the ability to help with the need to intervene … as soon as possible,” it added in the statement.
