Unfortunately, my relationship with ESAF was freezed since June 1st, 2011.  However, I continued my work as an Animal Protection Advocate, and as civil society representative according to ministirial decree 804 year 2011, as part of the committee formed by Minister of Agriculture supervised by General Organization of Veterinary Services Organization to supervise the Giza Zoo.  I thank the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and General Organization of Veterinary Services for their trust and support. 

Relation with ESAF freezed since June 1, 2011, please see original email sent.  ESAF had nothing to do with the hard work, cooperation done to integrate the chimps of governmental zoos, nor, improving the conditions of elephants, nor the presentations held about basic husbandry and enrichment. 

 ----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Ahmed <asherbiny@infinity.com.eg>
To: Dina Zulficar <dinazulficar@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 12:53 PM
Subject: Relation ship

Dear Dina,

I am really sorry Dina, but you are forcing me to take this action, I think it will help animal welfare relation ships if we freeze our business relationship for the time being.

Best regards

Ahmed

ESAF (Egyptian Society of Animal Friends)  – wildlife unit focuses on moving from status quo by tackling the root of the problems which would lead to sustainable solutions through effective preventative  programs. We aim to reach sustainable solutions and develop capacity building plan.
We are working on pressuring the government to take responsibility – not to ‘enable’ the government to avoid its responsibilities.
Currently ESAF's wildlife unit has established direct communication with Egyptian Authorities and stakeholders including governmental General Organization of Veterinary Services, Cites Wildlife Unit, and Central Zoos as it act as the official recognized rescue center, The EEAA, Egyptian Environmental Protection Agency, and Environmental Police, to discuss current status and proposed strategy.
An MOU has been signed with the Head of General Organization of Veterinary Services and Central Zoos Director who also happens to be in charge of Managerial Authority of Cites and Wildlife Unit in Egypt. (See attached Arabic and English translation draft>
Discussions and meetings in length are taking place

 MOU 26.O5.2011

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

On Thursday 26 May 2011, meeting was held inside the head quarters of Giza Zoo in Giza , and a committee was formed of:
1.  Professor Doctor General Osama Mahmoud Selim  Chairperson of The General Organization of Veterinary Services
2.  Doctor Nabil Mahmoud Sidki – Advisor of the Minister of Agriculture for Central Zoos
3.  Doctor Fatma Tammam – Central Zoos Director
4.  Doctor Zakareya Sayed Ibrahim – Manager of technical Office of the General Organization of Veterinary Services.
5.  Dr. Ragi Thoma – General Manager of Wildlife Unit of the Central Zoos
6.  Dina Zulfikar – representing the Egyptian Society of Animal Friends

 PROCEEDURES:

1)  The committee was called to meet at Giza Zoo as per procedures and instructions of Doctor Ayman Abu Hadid, the Minister of Agriculture to solve the problems related to wild animals inside the Giza Zoo.
2)  A tour was made on all the departments, enclosures inside the Giza Zoo – the following was observed:
a.  construction of Orangutans exhibition is currently taking place, should be finished and ready 30th July 2011.  Agreement has been made to make lab tests for the orangutan to verify the clearance of xx with the help of Mrs. Dina Zulfikar who would provide the anesthesia.
b.  The health condition of Mouza the chimp is good, agreement has been made to construct a new enclosure for the chimpanzees which guarantees better conditions and would be complying to international standard.  Dina Zulfikar promised to help in financing this enclosure and provide blue prints for a new enclosure within one week from today.
3)  .The central Zoos would study the possibility of grouping the chimpanzees within the feasible resources whilst Dina Zulfikar would provide technical assistance.
.The Management of the zoo has to provide list of the donated sponsored items to the zoo provided through Dina – or through the society which includes only equipment for cooling, fans, split units, ropes, hammocks which does exist in the enclosures of the zoo
4)All agreed that Dr. Zakarey Sayed Ibrahim, to work as communication officer between:  The zoo, the General Organization of Veterinary Services, the Egyptian Society of Animal Friends, to facilitate and solve any obstacles to achieve the above mentioned points.
.5)  The Central Zoos has to provide proposals from specialized company in maintaining the cooling systems (chilling water system and split units) of the bears enclosure, the company has to proved technical advice for maintaining the cooling system, which is currently found to be done by the zoos technicians, it was found during the tour that the cooling system is working fine.

The committee conclusion:
The committee concluded that updated recommendations and decisions would be forwarded to his Excellency the Minister of Agriculture to do what he finds necessary.

Signatures of Committee
Dina Zulfikar – Wildlife Unit - ESAF
Dr. Ragi Thoma - General Manager of Wildlife Unit of the Central Zoos
Dr. Zakarey Sayed Ibrahim - Manager of technical Office of the General Organization of Veterinary Services.
Dr. Fatma Tammam - Central Zoos Director
Dr. Nabil Sidki - Advisor of the Minister of Agriculture for Central Zoos
Dr. Osama Mahmoud Selim - Chairperson of The General Organization of Veterinary Services