I recently visited the wonderful country of Cambodia, and naturally made a pilgrimage

to Siem Reap to visit the phenomenal Angkor Wat.

The city of Siem Reap is magical, except for one macabre sector, the "Angkor

Zoo". I am very sad to say, that with all the money I spent and others spend

in Siem Reap, the city itself could put more funds into recuperating the zoo from

its shameful state.

I saw a three-legged bear in a cage that wouldn't allow it to take more then two

steps forward, or backward. There are also some very sick animals that have diseases

that are able to be witnessed by even the uneducated human eye.

The fecal matter is not cleaned up, and the animals don't look happy. The least the

city, or the zoo, could do is purchase large cages for the animals.

I am not easily shocked, or saddened, but I went away from the Angkor Zoo in tears.

I believe if the city (and zoo) cannot maintain the upkeep so the animals are healthy

and happy, they should not have a zoo at all.

- Bethany Mitchell