Securing Baghdad Zoo

From Capt Andrew Bird in Baghdad

Cpl James from the EOD team inspects the Baghdad Zoo. Photo by Sgt John Coombe, 1JPAU(P)

It’s another early start for our EOD in downtown Baghdad. Their orders read like a script straight out of Steve Irwin’s Crocodile Hunter movie.

Their mission is to clear the Baghdad Zoo of a number of unexploded ordinance, left behind after the war, that now litter the harsh and dry theme park.

Their aim is enable Iraqi families to return to the zoo without fear of being blown up by unexploded munitions. This may sound harsh, but this is reality in Baghdad.

The employees still working in the zoo tell how, during the war, many of the animals were set free on to the streets.

Lucky for the locals several Canadian brown bears missed their dash for freedom and remain at the zoo.

It’s not long before the EOD team discover a plethora of deadly munitions including 120mm mortars, 105mm high explosive projectiles and 120mm illumination rounds scattered across a children’s railway line that weaves its way throughout the zoo.

WO2 Barry Ward, 3CER, said dealing with UXOs was only dangerous for people who didn’t understand munitions.
“The work we’re doing here in the Baghdad Zoo will soon mean that Iraqi families can return with their kids and enjoy the zoo without any fear,” he said.

The respect the Australian soldiers have gained from Iraqi families living and working around the zoo is highly noticeable and well deserved.

For the people of Iraq, the task by the Aussies is another small step in the direction of normality.

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