Gunmen steal lion from Gaza zoo

Jerusalem Post ^ | November 26, 2005 | Khaled Abu Toameh

[ScaniaBoy]

Masked gunmen raided the only zoo in the Gaza Strip over the weekend and stole a lion - turning the animal into the latest victim of the continued state of lawlessness.

Zoo manager Saud al-Shawwa announced a $1,000 reward for anyone who provides information that could help find the lion and a pair of parrots that were also stolen.

"Thousands of people visit the zoo and they will miss these animals, especially the lion," he said. "We have different species of animals here and we urge the Palestinian security forces to help us find the stolen animals."

Sources in Gaza City said at least four gunmen armed with Kalachnikov rifles broke into the zoo late at night. After they handcuffed the guard and locked him up in the cafeteria, the thieves first stole two white and grey parrots that speak a few words in Arabic.

The thieves managed to seize the lion after throwing a blanket over its head. Their attempt to capture a second lion failed after the animal showed fierce resistance.

"The whole operation lasted less than 30 minutes," Shawwa added. "The thieves must have visited the zoo before to examine the place. The zoo was officially opened two months ago."

The manager said it was unclear to him why anyone would want to steal a lion that consumes at least three kilograms of meat every day. "This lion can't be bought or sold [in the black market]," he noted.

[ScaniaBoy]

Day by day, more and more the PA - the Palestinian Authority - turns out to be a real misnomer.

Their attempt to capture a second lion failed after the animal showed fierce resistance.

Why am I not surprised?

:)

[ScaniaBoy]

For your Ping list!

[lesser_satan]

I hope it eats them.

[COBOL2Java]

Perhaps the Palis think the lion is an Israeli?

[NonValueAdded]

The manager said it was unclear to him why anyone would want to steal a lion that consumes at least three kilograms of meat every day.

Holy self-answering questions, Batman, hey ... what's that commotion in the marketplace?

[Political Junkie Too]

The manager said it was unclear to him why anyone would want to steal a lion that consumes at least three kilograms of meat every day.

To turn it loose in some downtown Israeli marketplace?

-PJ

[lesser_satan]

More likely to sell on the black market and buy weapons/ drugs/ young boys for sex. They are worth a lot of money.

[spinestein]

Just keep an eye out for anyone going to the emergency room missing a leg.

[bert]

.....The manager said it was unclear to him why anyone would want to steal a lion.....

Was it the lion of Judah?

Perhaps it was out of place in Gaza.

[America's Resolve]

What was it that Lincoln said about one of his generals? Pope I think.

The only thing he wouldn't steal was a red-hot stove :)

that's the pali's for ya.

Proud of your allies europe????

[meanie monster]

LMAO

[Ukiapah Heep]

Hah! More evidence Darwin was right!

[Clink]

Perhaps they want to "one up" Zarquawi's beheadings by feeding their enemies to the lions.

Lord knows they're sick enough.

[sit-rep]

Or, they might let it go some where in a downtown area of Israel...

[COBOL2Java]

Or, they might let it go some where in a downtown area of Israel...

Only after they've converted it to Islam.

[sit-rep]

(chuckle)...

BTTT!!

[RichInOC]

Look for the place that has a barbecue going and a lion skin staked out to dry.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

..........................................

[cricket]

And the thieves wanted the lion for. . .interrogation back-up or . . . for dinner?

[Alexander Rubin]

Hehehe.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Now they're stealing lions?!?!?!?!?!

Maybe they're jealous since felines are much smarter (and better looking) than the average Jihadstinian! I hope the second lion did some damage to them and took a couple of them out. Good kitty!

[dennisw]

Prolly high on Lebanese hash when these idiots stole the lion and parrots

[sheik yerbouty]

"The Lion of Judah"