Buhusi Zoo in Romania: The Lions Roar Project

The Lion’s Roar, a project of Laura Simms’ Gaindeh Projects in collaboration with the Mayor of Buhusi and the Ministry of Education in Bacau (and other partners) is tirelessly working to save and restore a zoo in Buhusi, Romania. Now is a key moment in the viability of the project and the renewal of the community. See our Fall 2005 issue of Zoo News for a recent overview and budget estimates.

November 10, 2005

Dear Friends,

I am writing with an urgent request to help me feed seven lions in the zoo that I am saving in the North of Romania. Due to bureaucratic problems, financial devastation and ignorance, the sponsors who have given meat to the lions in our zoo have halved their donation. The winter in Romania is harsh. We have seven lions who are hungry.

Children come to the zoo crying to say that they hear the howls of the lions in the morning and want to help. Over two Hungry Lion tears at bamboo

hundred children visit our zoo every week. It is the only entertainment that provokes compassion, enthusiasm and education in the poor city of Buhusi.

Many proposals are with the European Union, the European Zoo Association, corporations and private donors, but none will provide basic sustenance for the lions this winter. If we can feed the lions, they will survive to have a new environment in the summer. They were all born into captivity in one way or another. We will witness them walk on grass for the first time.

For the past months they have been receiving excellent medicine and nutritional supplements, have had clean cages, and new platforms and some quality of life in their dismal concrete cages. To read more about their sensitivity and behavior please wait for our next Zoo Newz coming shortly!

Lioness

The situation for the lions is deeply troubling, yet they maintain a magnificence and dignity that is heartrending. I need an overall $5000. I dread watching them starve to death. All donations large or small are extremely helpful. If I can can raise this money it will save their lives. It will also strengthen the very fragile hope of the community that cares so much for them. Daily, individuals, who are themselves often without food, offer small amounts of food and pennies to help the zoo, but obviously seven lions can not live on care alone. We are certain - and have already witnessed the effects - that by saving the animals, a mirror of the helplessness in the city, we are renewing the heart of the community as well.

All donations are tax deductible. We will put up photos of the lions in a slide show on my website so you can see them.

Please write checks to
THE UNITY PROJECT and mark it for The Lion's Roar.
Send to:
The Unity Project: The Lion's Roar
c/o Laura Simms
814 Broadway, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10003 USA

Sincerely, Laura Simms
Gaindeh Projects

If you would like further information, or to see our total budget, proposal and list of partners, email buhusizoo@yahoo.com or call 212-674-3479.