Memorial of the lion Marjan and his sad story (8 photos + 1 video)

This monument is dedicated to the life of an unfortunate, but brave and proud animal, whose touching story has captivated the entire world.





Before the civil war in Afghanistan in the mid-1990s, the Kabul Zoo housed many inhabitants. After the outbreak of hostilities, most of them died or escaped. And those that remained, alas, were kept in very difficult conditions throughout all subsequent conflicts.



The most famous resident of the zoo was the lion Marjan (marjan means "coral" in Persian). There are several assumptions regarding his age. Some believe that he was born in the 60s, others are sure that in the 70s. The Cologne Zoo transferred him to the Kabul Zoo, where the animal lived most of his life with a lioness named Chucha.



Marjan's story, alas, is not the happiest and at the same time indicative. In 1995, a man (according to some sources, it was a partisan), trying to prove his courage or on a bet, climbed into Marjan's enclosure. Although Chucha allowed herself to be petted, her royal companion was not so patient and loyal to the brave man and attacked the man. He died from the injuries he received.



The next day, the deceased's brother took revenge by throwing hand grenades into Marjan's enclosure. The lion instinctively jumped on one of them. As a result, after the explosion, the king of beasts lost his sight, hearing, half of his teeth and remained lame forever. Despite serious injuries, he recovered and lived for another seven years. Unlike the avenger, who was killed a week later for his actions.



Marjan's story has captivated animal lovers around the world. Even when the war forced most people to leave Kabul and the city was a constant source of danger, dedicated zookeepers made every effort to keep the lion well-fed and cared for. He died of old age in 2002.



Marjan is buried on the grounds of the Kabul Zoo. A bronze statue of him, dedicated to the steadfast Marjan, was erected at the entrance. The lion has become a symbol of Afghanistan's survival through decades of hardship, sorrow and misery. The inscription on the memorial reads: "Here lies Marjan, who was about 23 years old. He was the most famous lion in the world."