Gaza zoo replaces zebras with painted donkeys

updated 4:19 p.m. ET Oct. 12, 2009

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Gaza City zookeepers have found a creative way of drawing crowds to their dilapidated zoo — by painting their donkeys. The Marah Land Zoo's only two zebras died of hunger earlier this year when they were neglected during the Israel-Hamas war.

The popular animals were too expensive to replace, so the keepers decided to design a pair of donkeys with black and white patterns instead.

Ahmad Barghouti says a professional painter used French-manufactured hair coloring to make the donkeys look like zebras.

Hasan Yaseen said Thursday since his three children have never seen a real zebra, they enjoy the Gaza version.

Aside from the two 'zebras,' the zoo also flaunts an aging tigress, two monkeys, and a selection of birds, rabbits and cats.

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