Baghdad Zoo opens new horse stables, pool

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim-Carlisle, Pa., native Army Capt. Amy Cronin, special projects officer for 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, "christens" a new children's pool with a couple of Iraqi men during a grand opening ceremony at Zawra Park in central Baghdad Dec. 1.

BAGHDAD - Since the relationship between Zawra Park officials and Soldiers of 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, began earlier this year, the Baghdad Zoo and park have started reopening more and more exhibits to the public.

Park officials and 15th BSB Soldiers were on hand Saturday to reopen the latest projects, an indoor horse stable and a children's swimming pool at the park in central Baghdad.

"We will consider this day a great day for us and Iraqis," said Dr. Muhsen Abed Hussein. "This accomplishment is credited to all the workers. We would love to do more projects like this inside the park."

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Vieira, 15th BSB's commander; Capt. Amy Cronin, the battalion's special projects officer; and Sgt. 1st Class Herb Mowery were on hand to help park officials cut the ceremonial ribbon to the stables and swimming pool complex.

The new indoor horse stable features 23 stalls and a washroom for the horses. The facility is surrounded by a corral and a horse-walking area for routine exercise.

The horse stable and swimming pool are in an area of the park that has been neglected, versus the main part of the park surrounding the zoo.

During the war, the park and zoo were heavily damaged. Now, there are plans in the works to reopen the gate and parking lot near the stables and pool.

Mowery, a native of Parkersburg, W.Va., said the horse stables and swimming pool were in one of the most damaged areas of the park, but now, he said he feels good about the positive impact the two new facilities will have on the entire park and zoo facility.

While the pool will be open to the public as soon as weather permits, the horse stables will only be available for staff and an equestrian team, Dr. Adil Salman Mousa, Baghdad Zoo director, said. Yet, he added, he hopes the horse stable may one day be open to the public, as well.

The horses that are in the zoo are a mixture of horses found on Saddam Hussein's and other former dignitaries' properties throughout Baghdad.

Mousa said he believes the park's newest addition will draw more visitors like the zoo's reopening did earlier this year. "We are very happy for the assistance of the Army in opening the stable and also the pool," he said. "This should increase visitors to the zoo and (stable)."