Behind Sudan Animal Rescue Centre – Sudan’s First Animal Shelter

In January 2020, pictures of five severely malnourished lions in Al Qurashi Family Park in Khartoum went viral on social media, bringing international attention and aid to save the lions and other mistreated animals at the park.

The story of the famished lions first broke out when a visitor, Osman Mohammed Salih, visited the park and was shocked to see the lions in their ill state. He then turned to social media, using hashtags #SudanAnimalRescue and #اسود_حديقة_القرشي to share their plight. The story brought the attention of international media organisations such as Al Jazeera, AFP, The Guardian and more.

Soon after, FOUR PAWS, an international animal welfare organisation, traveled to Sudan to offer the distressed lions and other animals at the park swift and direct aid. However, some of the lions and other animals have died.

Regardless, Salih was motivated to do more. In addition to launching the #SudanAnimalRescue campaign, he is working on establishing the first animal rescue and shelter in Sudan, Sudan Animal Rescue Centre. Salih is not working alone but with a group of volunteers, many of whom are veterinary doctors. In addition for having a passion for animals, some of the volunteers are also pet owners and members of the dog owner groups in Sudan. Work on the 10-acre centre in Al Bagier on the Khartoum-Madani Highway, just about 30 km from Khartoum International Airport, is already underway. Aiming to bring it into reality by October 2020, Salih launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe to raise £100,000. To date, he has raised £21,829.

‘Several other parks in Sudan are suffering from the same poor conditions for the lions and other wildlife. International rescue teams have been mobilised but awaiting authorisation from the authorities to visit Sudan. We need funds to buy medical supplies, cleaning supplies, food, equipment and for logistics. The Sudanese wildlife rangers lack the basic equipment to deal with wild animals such as tranquiliser guns, straps, cages, harnesses, trackers and other equipment,’ explained Salih.

Sudan’s wildlife includes lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses, and numerous varieties of antelope. Several species of monkeys are found in the forests. Resident birds include bustards, guinea fowl and storks. Reptiles include crocodiles and various lizards. Sudan has several protected nature areas, including game reserves and national parks. Dinder National Park and Radom National Park have been designated as UNESCO biosphere reserves.

In addition to recently becoming an animal rescuer, Salih is a 36-year-old IT professional who is based between Sudan and East Africa. In addition to Sudan, he spent several years in Uganda, Egypt and the UK, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Loughborough University. 

500 Words Magazine interviews IT Professional, entrepreneur, traveller and animal rescuer Osman Mohammed Salih about the up-and-coming Sudan Animal Rescue Centre.

You were the reason the malnourished lions and other animals at Al Qurashi Park receiving international attention and aid. How did you come across the neglected animals in the park and what drove you to post about it on social media? Did you expect the international attention and media coverage that was received?

My visit to Al Qurashi Park was by chance. I took my son to play in the park and then found out they had animals. I didn’t know about them before. I was very shocked to see them in their condition and I immediately started talking to the staff at the park on how I could help. After I found that they weren’t too concerned, I decided I had to take pictures and let people know what’s going on at the off chance someone might care. I was shocked to find that my post went viral locally and more so internationally. I didn’t expect that. 

What inspired you to established Sudan Animal Rescue Centre? And when will the shelter officially open?

Even though we had an international animal organisation come and help, I found that it was very important for a local animal organisation to be established to coordinate more rescue missions and have a base to rescue animals. We hope to be open around the end of October. 

Tell us more about Sudan Animal Rescue Centre and what it aims to achieve in the long run?

We hope to establish a centre to protect endangered species of animals. It will also be a centre to rescue and rehabilitate injured or neglected animals. We plan to make each enclosure big and comfortable and species specific to enrich animals’ lives and well-being. 

How do you hope to sustain Sudan Animal Rescue Centre? And how will the public be able to contribute to the shelter?

We hope to open the centre for schools and universities for research and teaching as well as to the general public for viewing. We will charge entrance fee and have other money generating programmes to raise funds for the centre. We will also have opportunities for volunteers and contributions of any kind to help build and operate the centre. 

What are your thoughts on animal rescue and animal welfare in Sudan? Do you think animals both wild, stray or pets receive the necessary care they need?

Animal welfare in Sudan needs a lot of work. The general public needs to be educated on animal treatment and respect. I am happy to see that since our campaign started, we’ve noticed a change of attitude locally towards animals and people being more proactive to help and protect animals. 

There have been cases where animals from Sudan have been given as “gifts” to royal or wealthy individuals in the GCC. What do you think about that and about keeping wild animals as pets, which is a popular phenomenon in the Gulf and the Middle East general? 

Wild animals should not be kept as pets or given as gifts especially if those animals are endangered. Wild animals should have big open spaces and species specific environments for them to live a comfortable life. 

For more information on Sudan Animal Rescue Centre, visit sudananimalrescue.com, or their social media pages on Facebook Sudan Animal Rescue Centre and Instagram @sudananimalrescue. To support Sudan Animal Rescue Centre, donate via this GoFundMe page. Follow Osman Salih and his journey with Sudan Animal Rescue Centre on Twitter @0smanSalih and Instagram @0smano.

Related Links:

Campaign Launched to Save Malnourished Lions in Khartoum Park

FOUR PAWS Provide Aid to Al Qurashi Park Lions