Lawrence Anthony was a conservationist, living in South Africa when the US invaded Iraq. Because of his background working with large animals, his immediate thought went to the welfare of the animals living in the Baghdad zoo. With much persistence and the help of many people, Anthony traveled to Baghdad shortly after the invasion to see what could be done to rescue the animals.

Anthony’s story is an amazing one. The zoo was in utter disarray, and in the middle of a war zone. Yet somehow, he, with the help of courageous Iraqis, various foreign nationals and US soldiers was able to save the remaining animals and restore the zoo to a place of rest and beauty. In the midst of the horror of war, Anthony’s story shines brightly with its message of hope.