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Shocking images of starving lions in Sudan zoo sparks online campaign to save them

According to reports, they have barely eaten in weeks, with the zoo's owners struggling to feed them, with some losing around two-thirds of their body weight.
Distressing images show the "malnourished and sick" animals in cages at Al-Qureshi Park in the country's capital city of Khartoum. (Getty)

An online campaign to save a group of starving African lions from a zoo in Sudan has been started amid economic turmoil in the country preventing them from getting enough food.

Distressing images show the "malnourished and sick" animals, so thin that their bones are visibly poking through their fur, in cages at Al-Qureshi Park in the country's capital city of Khartoum.

According to reports, they have barely eaten in weeks, with the zoo's owners struggling to feed them, and some have lost around two-thirds of their body weight.

According to reports, they have barely eaten in weeks, with the zoo's owners struggling to feed them, with some losing around two-thirds of their body weight.
According to reports, they have barely eaten in weeks, with the zoo's owners struggling to feed them, with some losing around two-thirds of their body weight. (Getty)

Osman Salih, who launched the campaign, shared several harrowing pictures of the emaciated lions as he asked people and institutions concerned to help the animals.

The campaign is now gaining momentum online, with the aim of moving the lions to a better location where they will be fed and looked after.

Mr Salih wrote on Facebook: "I was shaken when I saw these lions at the park... their bones are protruding from the skin. I urge interested people and institutions to help them."

He later updated his page with news that one, a female, had passed away.

He wrote: "I regret to inform you that the sick female lion has died. The other female is getting better and the male is OK."

According to reports, they have barely eaten in weeks, with the zoo's owners struggling to feed them, with some losing around two-thirds of their body weight.
Osman Salih, who launched the campaign shared several harrowing pictures of the emaciated lions as he asked people and institutions concerned to help the animals. (Getty)

Speaking to the AFP news agency, a manager from Al-Qureshi Park said it is extremely difficult to feed the lions.

The employee told the agency: "Food is not always available, so often we buy it from our own money to feed them."

Moataz Mahmoud, one of the caretakers at the park, added: "They are suffering from severe illnesses. They are sick and appear to be malnourished."

Mr Salih has since said that emergency responders have visited the park to offer medical assistance to the malnourished lions, and work is being done to find another home for them.

Writing on Sunday, he added: "Today was a positive day at Qurashi Park. We had good meetings with the park administration and the wildlife police.

"Lots of fresh meat was brought by several donors as well as two sheep. Supply of regular meat from factories and slaughter houses was also secured."

"Managed to buy all required medical supplies for emergency care such as antibiotics, IV drip etc.

"Best news of the day was the willingness of Four Paws International to send an emergency rescue to rehabilitate the animals not only at Qurashi zoo but other parks in Sudan as well as train staff at wildlife authority.

"The wildlife authority has welcomed the idea and we will begin process tomorrow of their invitation and paperwork."

According to reports, they have barely eaten in weeks, with the zoo's owners struggling to feed them, with some losing around two-thirds of their body weight.
Mr Salih has since said that emergency responders have visited the park to offer medical assistance to the malnourished lions, and work is being done to find another home for them. (Getty)