Wang Wei, deputy general manager of the Badaling Wildlife Park, said he and his colleagues learned from TV that Marjan, the one-eyed lion in Kabul Zoo, had died six days earlier.

"Others may not understand how sad we are as zoo keepers," he said. "The life of each creature involves a lot of painstaking efforts, and Marjan was such a unique lion.

"We wish to express, on behalf of all Beijingers, a call for world peace through our donation," Wang said.

Marjan, a gift from Germany to the Kabul Zoo 23 years ago, lived his life on the front line of the civil war in Afghanistan and will be remembered as a symbol of the Afghan spirit since his death on January 26 this year.

Marjan's death has been widely reported by Chinese media in the past few days.

Diplomats with the Afghan Embassy in Beijing expressed gratitude upon hearing about the donation, describing it as a wonderful proposal.

And officials from local authorities voiced their support for Wang's decision and said they were willing to help. Chinese laws rule that the import and export of animals are subject to approval by the government, including quarantine authorities.

Wang said he and his colleagues are preparing a report for the municipal government and will follow all necessary procedures for the donation.

Currently, 84 lions live at the Badaling Wildlife Park.

In addition, local residents also showed support for the donation.

"I know how cruel wars are, as I personally experienced war as a young man," Wang Qiusheng, an aged Beijinger, said to Xinhua while taking his granddaughter for a walk.

"I hope all Afghan children, like my own granddaughter, can enjoy the lion in the zoo, joyfully and peacefully," he said.

Some Beijingers, while supporting the donation, suggested it be put off until conditions in Kabul show further improvement. "I'm afraid that the Kabul Zoo may not be able to supply enough food for the lion at the moment," said a woman whose surname is Yin, in a telephone call to the Badaling Wildlife Park.

(China Daily February 05, 2002)