'Worst zoo in the world' closed as final 15 animals rescued

Laziz the tiger is put in a cage to be transported. Credit: Four Paws/Facebook

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"The worst zoo in the world" has been closed down after the last 15 animals were rescued.

Four Paws, an animal welfare charity, said the Gaza Strip zoo had suffered financial difficulties earlier in the year and was unable to provide the animals with proper care and food.

Among the animals saved from Khan Younis zoo was a tiger, five monkeys, a porcupine, and an emu among others.

The tiger, Laziz, was kept in a three square meter cage alongside a taxidermied tiger.

After the zoo's owner asked the charity for help, Four Paws provided food and medical checks, later deciding the animals would be transferred elsewhere.

Laziz is anaesthatised and in a crate to be transported. He suffered from skin sores in the zoo. Credit: Four Paws/Facebook

"The conditions the animals were under were very far from ideal," said Amir Khalil, who is leading the Gaza mission for Four Paws, adding that their new homes will be "a big change".

Four Paws crossed from Gaza and into Israel with the animals, the majority of which are headed to a sanctuary in Jordan.

The animals are put in crates to be transported to Israel. Credit: Four Paws/Facebook

However, Laziz will go to a refuge in South Africa where his three square meter cage will be swapped for a 10,000 square meter enclosure where he will be able to climb and swim.

Highlighting the precariousness of the animals' existence at the zoo, Mr Khalil said a baby deer that was set to be evacuated from Khan Younis had died in the lead-up to the mission after being wounded. Its mother was also wounded but was successfully removed from the strip.

The deer that died and its mother. Credit: Four Paws/Facebook

Inside the Gaza Strip there is little awareness of animal welfare, and in the past the impoverished territory's zoos have made headlines.

The young deer that died. Credit: Four Paws/Facebook

When the rescue team arrived at Khan Younis they found that the two porcupines had escaped from their enclosure which was the smallest at the zoo.

The porcupines' enclosure was the smallest in the zoo. Credit: Four Paws/Facebook

Many of Gaza's zoos are private business ventures, set up by owners who lack experience in caring for animals in captivity.

Previously the zoo turned to taxidermy to keep the animals which died during the Israel-Gaza conflict in 2014 on display.

Zoo owner Mohammad Oweida shows stuffed animals which died during the 2014 war. Credit: Reuters

While the Marah Land zoo in Gaza City painted stripes on donkeys in 2009 as they were unable to afford zebras.

Painted donkeys at the Marah Land zoo. Credit: Reuters