(19 Feb 1996) Farsi/Nat
They're the forgotten victims of a six-year war.
In the besieged Afghan capital of Kabul, it's not only the humans who are suffering but the animals too.
Many of the creatures in the city's national zoo have been killed, wounded or even eaten as the civil war rages around them.
But the survivors linger on, cared for by the zoo keeper who has become their lifeline.
Amidst a devastated Kabul lies Afghanistan's zoo - today home to just a handful of residents.
This bear has lived through six years of continual bombardment that's flattened the surrounding neighbourhood.
The zoo itself has been hit on numerous occasions.
But it's still not without its star attraction - the lion den.
The lion and lioness, or "Sher" as they are known - which is Persian for "lion" - were brought here as cubs before the Soviet invasion of 1979.
When the fighting's been at its most intense they've often nearly starved.
But they've been saved by the zoo keeper who's risked life and limb to bring them scraps.
Tragedy struck last year when the lion was blinded after killing an Afghan who climbed into his den.
SOUNDBITE: (Farsi)
"He taunted the lion so he picked him (the man) up between his jaws and dragged him into his lair. Some people were able to retrieve the man but by the time they did he was dead. The next day the man's brother came to the zoo and threw a hand grenade at the lion."
SUPERCAPTION: Akah Akbar, Zoo Keeper
UPSOUND: shell fire
One of the dozens of shells fired into the city by warring factions every day. The constant sound of fighting has left many of the animals shell-shocked.
These days, the lion and lioness are nervous of anyone even nearing their den. But they still know and trust their keeper.
SOUNDBITE: (Farsi)
" I have spent a long time with the lion. I feed him every day. He's blind now, but he still knows my voice and smell and he never attacks me. He trusts me and we are friends."
SUPER CAPTION: Akah Akbar, Zoo Keeper
Only a handful of other animals remain. The rest have been killed -- and a few others, including most of the zoo's rabbits and all of its goats have been eaten.
The survivors remain in poor condition living off meagre rations provided by the government and friendly passers-by.
With no end to the Afghan conflict in sight, the future of these animals seems uncertain.
Humanitarian aid groups have toyed with the idea of evacuating them to neighbouring Pakistan.
But that plan's been deemed unfeasible.
And the likelihood remains that these animals will have to continue to take their chances -- along with the rest of Kabul's residents.
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