People visit the Kabul Zoo in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 17, 2022. Photo:Xinhua

Situated along the bank of Kabul river, Kabul Zoo, home to hundreds of different animals and colorful birds, is a popular recreational place that is full of visitors every day.

Hundreds of war-weary Afghans including women and children tour the zoo everyday to enjoy their leisure time.

"I came to Kabul Zoo for pastime and have fun here in contact with animals," said Saleh Jan Zazai.

Coming from the eastern Paktia province along with two of his children, Zazai, 45, believed that peaceful environment encourages people to travel around the country and enjoy life.

"Nowadays we have peaceful environment and we can walk, sit with friends and have fun in this recreational place, Kabul zoo," Zazai said.

Established in 1967 and badly damaged during the 1990s factional fighting, Kabul Zoo has been rehabilitated and currently houses more than 100 kinds of animals.

"More than 600 species of animals belonging to 100 animal families are kept in the zoo," zoo official Najibullah Nazari told Xinhua, adding that the zoo with 56 employees is the only place in Afghanistan keeping wild animals to entertain visitors.

The daily number of zoo visitors, according to the official, was about 2,000 to 2,500 before but nowadays has dropped sharply due to economic problems.

The number of the zoo visitors has decreased to hundreds and about 800 people visit the zoo on public holidays, Nazari said.

More than 22 million out of a population of 35 million in Afghanistan are now facing an acute food shortage due to poverty and joblessness, according to aid agencies.

"I like animals and want to know how the animals live and that is why I am visiting the zoo to see all the animals kept here and also enjoy the greenery in the garden," said visitor Morteza.

"Since the security situation has been improved and I can visit the zoo free of fear to see all the animals including camels and buffalos to know how they live," Morteza, 11, told Xinhua.

Visiting the zoo along with six members of his family, the curious child said that love to animals takes him twice to the zoo so far this year.

"I am hopeful to see more peaceful environment and more animals at the zoo in the future," another zoo visitor told Xinhua. 

 

Photo taken on May 17, 2022 shows a lion at Kabul Zoo in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo:Xinhua