Stolen Lion Returned To Gaza Zoo

GAZA, Palestinian Authority, July 9, 2007— -- Malnourished, declawed and missing some of her teeth and the tip of her tail, Sabrina the lion was returned to the Gaza Zoo on Monday after Hamas fighters rescued her from thieves who stole her two years ago.

Zoo officials said the animal's captors had been using Sabrina as a prop, charging people five shekels ($1.20) to be photographed with her.

"The (thieves) had cut off the end of her tail, the black hair that is considered to be the symbol of pride of Africanlions. I am very sad for her. She must have felt very humiliated," said zoo veterinarian Saoud al-Shawa.

Sabrina was stolen from the facility soon after she and her brother Sakher were brought to Gaza from Egypt as cubs.

She was found during a Hamas raid on the compound of Gaza clan, said officials of the Islamist group that seized the territory in a brief civil war last month.

Shawa said her captors had declawed her and extracted some of her teeth.

"Sabrina is very tired and very sick," he said. "I do not think her teeth will come in again, so we'll have to feed her minced meat and give her medicine."

Zoo officials said Sakher had roared inconsolably when his sister was stolen. Reunited, he nuzzled her neck and the two siblings began to play.