Rapid Response for Animals

FOUR PAWS operates a rapid response, highly skilled expert unit equipped to help animals in the face of wars or in conflict zones.
Our team, of veterinarians, rescue workers and crisis managers, is trained to work under such circumstances and operating worldwide.

Our Work & Missions

2023
Group of lions in Sudan

Mission in Sudan
#SaveSudanLions

After the successful mission in 2022, we are returning to Sudan for an emergency rescue to save over 30 animals. Left behind in a conflict zone and in danger to be attacked by shootings, more than 15 lions and other animals are starving and without any medical care. It is a complex rescue mission, but our experienced team will bring all animals to a safe place. Follow the updates on the emergency mission!

Rescue of two tigers in Argentina

Mission in Argentina
#SaveTheOutsiders

A request for support from the authorities in Argentina brought FOUR PAWS back to South America to carry out an extremely critical and challenging rescue mission. Two tigers from an illegal private breeding farm in Balcarce in the Buenos Aires province in Argentina needed to be rescued and relocated. Together with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, FOUR PAWS is working to do this. Follow our mission and learn more about the plight of these tigers.

Elephants Noor Jehan and Mahubala at Karachi Zoo

Mission in Pakistan #KarachiElephants

In 2021, FOUR PAWS received an invitation by the Sindh High Court, to travel to Karachi, Pakistan to assess the wellbeing of Pakistan’s last four captive elephants being kept in Karachi Zoo and Karachi Safari Park. Following the assessment, FOUR PAWS recommended improvements to the elephants diet and keeping conditions, as well as medical treatments. Moreover, the team urged that all four elephants be reunited in Karachi Safari Park. Since this time, FOUR PAWS has returned to Pakistan for various emergency situations to treat the elephants. We continue to advise that the #KarachiElephants be reunited. Follow this mission here. 

Cat in rubble after earthquake disaster Türkiye

Animal Disaster Relief in Türkiye and Syria

Our team has been working together with local partners in the region following the devastating earthquakes. They have been delivering emergency care to injured and displaced animals: pulling them from the rubble, treating injuries; providing food and shelter. Learn more about the earthquake relief for animals in Türkiye and Syria.

2022
Lion Mansour at the Al Qurashi Family Park Zoo in Sudan

Mission in Sudan: #SaveSudanLions

The starving lions Kandaka and Mansour were rescued from the Al Qurashi Family Park Zoo in Khartoum in 2020. Although their general health condition has stabilised, both lions have suffered irreversible damage to their organs. Because of the pandemic, FOUR PAWS could not enter Sudan since then. But now, the lions desperately need specialised treatments and ongoing monitoring. Find out more about how we want to help them.

#FoodForAnimals in Ukriane

#FoodForAnimals

FOUR PAWS continues its help for zoos in Ukraine, delivering another 20 tons of food for animals. With this second delivery we aim to bring relief to the animals and people who are caring for them in the zoos under most difficult circumstances likewise. Find out the details of this mission here.

Treatment for Last Captive Elephants in Pakistan

FOUR PAWS treated the last four captive elephants in Pakistan from two different zoos. 16 and 17-year-old Madhubala and Noor Jehan, in Karachi Zoo, suffered from extreme dental problems. Using specially designed instruments and performing a dental procedure under standing sedation for the first time in the world, the team successfully operated on their broken tusks and severely inflamed tissue. At Karachi Safari Park, FOUR PAWS treated elephants Malika and Sonu, who suffered from cracked and overgrown nails and footpads and abscesses. Read more about this mission and the outlook for these four patients. 

Train tigers

#TrainTigers

When a local landowner in San Luis, Argentina was left to care for some tigers for a short time, that short time turned in 15 years. The four tigers were trapped in cages barely larger than the size of two parking spaces. Their cages were part of an old train carriage that had been left behind and stood still since then. We had a very short window of opportunity to rescue them and show these majestic big cats that they deserve better.
Read more here.

2020
Mission to Pakistan

Mission to Pakistan

After a ground-breaking decision from the Islamabad High Court to close down the under-funded Marghazar zoo, an immediate relocation of the remaining animals was planned. Due to inexperienced animal handlers, a harrowing incident happened, where two lions lost their lives from the effects of the fire. Therefore, we were asked to help with the urgent relocation of about 30 animals still suffering in these inappropriate surroundings - a result of mismanagement of the zoo, lack of staff experience and insufficient funding. Together with the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, we successfully managed to relocate all the animals – including elephant Kaavan – our heaviest and most challenging relocation to date! Every minute counted and as usual our team on-site were determined to change the lives of these animals for good. Read more

Mission to Lebanon

Mission to Lebanon

On August 4th 2020, a huge explosion devastated Beirut, causing enormous suffering and destruction and leaving the lives of both people and animals in desperate need of help. Confused, starving and dehydrated, many animal are left roaming the ruined streets of Beirut struggling to survive. Read more!

Lioness Kandaka receiving treatment

Mission in Sudan

In mid-January, photos of famished lions in a zoo in Sudan circulated the globe and immediately caught our attention. Due to a lack of financial resources, the animals have been left to starve. We were there to help them.

2019

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Mission in Lebanon

FOUR PAWS conducted a mission from 29th November to the 2nd December, in collaboration with 'Animals Lebanon'. Due to the ongoing instability in the country, both privately owned zoos lack the resources to take care of their suffering animals. After the approval from the authorities, the our team, consisting of wildlife veterinarians and animal keepers, travelled to Lebanon to support the two zoos with medical treatments and appropriate food. FOUR PAWS is currently working on a long-term solution for the animals. Watch our video! 

Declawed lioness in Gaza

Mission in Gaza

Over 40 animals were suffering in Rafah Zoo, Gaza. At the beginning of 2019, Gaza's oldest zoo attracted worldwide attention. Four lion cubs froze to death there due to the harsh weather and poor keeping conditions. Only a few weeks later, a 14-month-old lioness was permanently mutilated by the brutal and unprofessional removal of her claws. Almost 150,000 people demanded immediate action - and fortunately, we were able to follow that call. Read more about how we freed 47 animals their cages.

2018
Puppy before rabies vaccination

Pilot project protects animals and humans from life-threatening infections #DontWaitVaccinate

After two months of tireless efforts, the team has vaccinated 58,386 animals. The FOUR PAWS team in Myanmar is celebrating this partial victory against one of the deadliest diseases in the country. Read more why the fight against rabies is a long-term one.

2017

Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.

Mission in Iraq

According to OCHA, over 163,000 people were displaced by end of January 2017 due to military operations to retake Mosul from the Islamic Stat of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). During this period, the zoo staff members were unable to enter the zoo. Nearly all animals  which were not killed by shrapnel, died of starvation or escaped.Simba the lion and Lula the bear – the only animals left alive in Mosul’s zoo – have been evacuated from the war-torn city. FOUR PAWS coordinated the rescue mission, taking Simba and Lula first to the nearby city of Erbil, from where they were flown to Jordan. Simba is now at LIONSROCK in South Africa, while Lula is still in Jordan at the Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife Reserve, a partnership between Princess Alia Foundation and FOUR PAWS. Watch our video!

Bear being rescued from amusement park in Aleppo

Mission in Syria

War in Syria has not only forced millions of people to flee their homeland, claimed hundreds of thousands of victims and devastated the country. Countless animals have also lost their lives. The few survivors have vegetated for many months, some even years, in bombed-out zoos. Read more about how we rescued 13 animals from a destroyed the “Magic World” recreational park close to Aleppo.

2016
Tiger at Khan Younis Zoo in Gaza

Mission in Gaza

Years of suffering in desolate cages, starvation and a lack of freshwater: FOUR PAWS conducted an intensive rescue mission to save the remaining 15 animals at Khan Younis Zoo. The FOUR PAWS managed to load the animals and transport them over the border. Read more about the mission.

2015 and before

For more than 30 years the FOUR PAWS rapid response team has helped animals in need!

Amir Khalil remembers all of his missions very well: "We've been to Gaza five times, we've had missions in Egypt during the Arab Spring, Tripoli, Zimbabwe... and have helped several wild animal evacuations from Romania, Bulgaria and other zoos around the world."

Read more about our Missions

Blog Posts, Press Releases, Rescue Stories

Veterinarian Dr Frank Göritz in Khan Younis Zoo in the Gaza Strip

World Veterinary Day

Celebrate the world class vets at the helm of our emergency rescue missions


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FOUR PAWS takes care of neglected zoo animals in Lebanon

FOUR PAWS Takes Care of Neglected Zoo Animals in Lebanon

Animals urgently need food and medical treatment


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World Rabies Day: The ultimate fight against rabies in Myanmar continues

World Rabies Day: The Ultimate Fight Against Rabies in Myanmar Continues

FOUR PAWS long-term project aims to vaccinate one million animals by 2022


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Two lions rescued from Gaza arrive at FOUR PAWS sanctuary in South Africa

Two lions rescued from Gaza arrive at FOUR PAWS sanctuary in South Africa

Motan and Pisa finally get the chance to heal from their difficult past at LIONSROCK


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Big cats from war zones

In recent years, FOUR PAWS had several successful missions in rescuing big cats from war-torn countries such as Iraq, Gaza and Syria


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Gaza Strip rescue mission

FOUR PAWS Rescues 47 Zoo Animals from the Gaza Strip

The animals are taken to sanctuaries in Jordan and South Africa


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Mutilated lioness

Animal Torture: Lioness’ Claws Amputated with Garden Shears in Gaza's Oldest Zoo

FOUR PAWS demands permanent closure of zoo and relocation of 49 animals


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Lioness at Al Ma'Wa for Nature & Wildlife

Al Ma'wa for Nature & Wildlife

A cooperation project between the Princess Alia Foundation and FOUR PAWS in Jordan since 2011


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Amir Khalil in Sudan

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