Lawrence Anthony’s inner calling launched his efforts to travel to a war zone to rescue the animals in the city of Baghdad in the year 2003. Those animals were deprived of food and water under temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Baghdad city was under siege; Saddam Hussein had been overthrown.
Lawrence
Anthony, author of The Elephant Whisperer, was determined to help the animals of the Baghdad Zoo, even though he had no clue on how he would proceed to accomplish his
goal.
Lawrence feared the worst, and his concerns were
confirmed when he managed to reach the animals. He was able to witness how animals
who had nothing to do with the human conflict and had no understanding of the political
situation were neglected, attacked and abused in multiple ways. It was
disturbing to read about imprisoned animals who had no way of defending
themselves while they battled hunger and thirst amid the bombings. People
vandalized the zoo. It was sad to read that some of them even shot the
animals for fun.
Lawrence witnessed their trauma,
and he was determined to rescue them. Babylon’s Ark is an
engrossing account on how he was able to care for these animals against all
odds. Initially, Lawrence Anthony had no connections or formal support from
organizations. He was just a man with a clear purpose. Eventually, he was able
to inspire others to support his mission and share his goal of saving the
animals in Baghdad.
Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator whose
cruelty to human beings was also directed at the animals. Saddam and his son
Uday had neglected, abused and abandoned several wild animals and dogs. They had been
involved in the trafficking of wild animals, and Lawrence was able to find and
rescue them under the most dangerous circumstances.
I was in awe to read what he managed to
accomplish despite the hopelessness of the situation. I was speechless to learn
about the rescue of lions and dogs inside a cage in Uday’s palace. There
were two cubs and three adult lions along with two emaciated dogs inside the
same cage. Lawrence was shocked because the pride of lions had not
devoured the dogs despite the fact that they had all been starving.
“There was no explanation why the starving
lions had not already killed and eaten the dogs. We guessed it was because the
animals had huddled together through so much terror during the bombing raids
that they had bonded in a way only nature could fathom, forging some mystical
affinity that transcended the torment of hunger. Indeed, even in their sapped
state, the two dogs were nuzzling and cuddling the cubs—testimony that nature
is not always red in tooth and claw.”
Babylon’s Ark is about finding common ground
with others to develop solutions that align with kindness and ethical
principles. Putting aside their differences, soldiers, conservationists and
civilians came together to rescue the wild animals. However, this did not
happen by chance. Lawrence had to work hard to convince people and garner their
support and approval. I admire the ways in which he interacted with those
around him to gain their respect and understanding. His book is an inspiration
and a testament to his resilience and courage. His messages deserve to be
shared across the world.
Lawrence Anthony risked his life to attain his goal. It was an adventure full of roadblocks and hazards, but the unsettling frustrations, setbacks
and conflicts he had to contend with did not deter him. Being in a combat zone
was not easy, but, thankfully, Lawrence survived the plight and wrote this
fascinating book whose narrative will captivate your heart.
Perhaps his quest for empathy and compassion
will not be forgotten, and it may help people to understand that we need to
come together to care for our home. Mother Earth needs our cooperation to
support the ecosystems that make our life possible on the planet.
Another important aspect of the book is the fact
that it helps us to see how unfair and terrifying it is to live under the abuse
of power of a dictator. I think the book plays an important role in explaining
the dangers dictators pose to the livelihoods of its citizens.
Last but not least, Lawrence Anthony’s musings
and reflections at the end have the potential to summon people to do what is
best for their communities, democracies and the planet. His statements are based on facts. Lawrence’s thoughts are
as relevant today as they were when he wrote the book:
“In our ruthless quest for technology,
material wealth and scientific progress, the humanities have been sorely
neglected. And, as most of us are almost completely ignorant of the character
and function of other forms of life, we abuse the natural world and diminish
once robust survival systems without any real understanding of the
consequences—especially for our own continued existence. Why do we inflict harm
on the only home we have? Most people intrinsically have empathy with nature.
Everybody I speak to is against cruelty to animals; everybody wants fresh air,
open spaces, unpolluted rivers, and a healthy livable planet. So why do we so
dreadfully abuse our sole life-support system?”
“As living organisms, we are all part of the
greater whole, and as such, we are embodied with exactly the same fundamental purpose:
to survive. And to do so—as individuals, families, groups, and as a species—we have
to live in dynamic collaboration with the plant and animal kingdoms in a
healthy, life-sustaining environment.”
The experience of reading Babylon’s Ark was
so immersive that I had vivid dreams at night related to the setting and
situations he encountered. Read Babylon’s Ark and share it with others.
Feel free to
read my posts on the following books:
What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories and Personalities of Bees, by Stephen
Buchmann
Unlikely Friendships by Jennifer Holland
Volcanic Adventures in Tonga by Ann Goth
Sweet inTooth and Claw by Kristin Ohlson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46fQBDfYAJo
