In Memory of Alonso, the Jaguar

A few days ago a ten-year old jaguar named Alonso escaped his enclosure at the Lovech Zoo, and hid in the abundant forest surrounding the zoo.  A search party was sent to tranquilize and capture the animal, to no avail.  Instead, Alonso was shot and killed by local hunters.

Now, this story actually should read as following - a careless (and surely unmotivated and underpaid) zookeeper left the jaguar enclosure door open while cleaning it, thus enabling the animal to escape.  And "enclosure" is also probably a strong word for a filthy, narrow cell.  The Lovech Zoo is, and has been, in a squalid condition for decades.  There isn't even a concept of humane treatment in those responsible for the maintenance of the facility, very few investments, and while the animals aren't generally starved or abused on purpose, their conditions are appalling.  

Neglect and ignorance towards wildlife is, unfortunately, a very common result of the socio-cultural problems most Eastern-European countries have while struggling politically and economically.

It is also safe to assume that the person (or people) who shot Alonso did it just to get a kick out of it.  Typically, there's no clear explanation to the public of what really went down, and how.  The zookeeper will lose his job, the case will be swept under the rug, and it will all remain an unfortunate memory the people of Lovech will tell each other as an urban legend.  How sad, but what can you do...?!

 Bulgarian resignation to people's professional incompetence and their lack of accountability are another set of social failures resulting from the perpetual crisis the country has been since 1989.  

What I am most bothered with, however, is this hardening of the heart, this moral decline people are experiencing, that threatens their very humanity.  Love and empathy for nature and animals is a sign of enlightenment and civilized existence I just have such a trouble seeing in my homeland....

The last time I visited the Lovech Zoo was in the summer of 2009, and it was when I took these couple of pictures of Alonso the Jaguar.  

I hope you enjoyed your last walk in the wild, buddy!

Charity for Bulgarian Stray Dogs.

Classic Lovech Views

Here are some images I took around town in the past few days.  It's really hot here in Lovech, so I try to only go on photowalks early in the morning, or at sunset, and this is working out wonderfully - the light is spectacular and everything seems glowing.

Enjoy!

P.S. Coming up next: The People of Lovech Project, and Views From Above!

A Daytrip to Krushuna Falls

Yesterday morning we drove to Krushuna Falls, a wonderful natural retreat near the village of Krushuna, at about 30 km of Lovech.  The road there was scenic, with sunflower fields sprawling along, fluffy clouds above, stork nests, free roaming donkeys and horses, and other small villages, sleepy in the sun, sparsely populated by working country people riding in carriages and sitting on benches in front of their small traditional houses.  This part of Lovech province is an amazing combination of flat land, cliffs and hills, valleys and forests, creeks and plateaus, and while the landscape is hardly dramatic, it's full of life and color and  air saturated with the fragrant of hay, grass, wildflowers and freedom.  Living is tough there, raw, but simple and closely connected to the land, and so very quiet, that only after an hour out in the open you can hear your thoughts and heart much better.

Here are a few snapshots, and if you even happen to visit Bulgaria, make sure you come over to Lovech and the surrounding lands.  Next week we'll drive up to the historical village of Kakrina, and the one after - to Saeva Dupka cave.

Enjoy!

In Lovech, In Heaven

It is no secret that the town of Lovech is my most favorite place on Earth.  I feel fully myself here, free, happy.  It is hard to explain, but I am sure that you know what I mean - everyone has his personal spot, where they like to escape from time to time, and to attain inner peace.  Lovech is where I spent every summer vacation as a kid, where I used to fall in love as a teenager, where I came to get married in my 20's, and now I am back with my son, and I must say he is enjoying his stay as much as I am.  

The quality of light here is absolutely amazing, and there are so many things to photograph - dragonflies and butterflies, swallows and storks, the trees and the cliffs and the river, the historical landmarks and the local people...and I haven't even started exploring yet!  It's a long way from California, and I used the first couple of days to simply sleep and eat and breathe.  At any rate, this batch of images is just me warming up :)

Oh, also, I am testing my new Mamiya.  Guys, this is the most exquisite piece of camera equipment I've worked with so far!  It's amazing, everything is great, and I am in heaven.

I hope you are having a wonderful summer as well!

Last Night...

I took another photowalk, this time with my Sister and my brother in law.  Bobby The Dog followed us as well, and once again, we met quite a few stray kittens as we strolled down the streets of Lovech.  I might explore the newer part of town soon - there are some curious findings to be photographed, such as murals from the communist era, yet I am still contented with taking it easy and hanging out and about Varosha.  With so much rain lately, it is like discovering it anew.  

Did you guys know that Lovech is where the first Bulgarian astronaut was born?  Also, they are making cars here now.  It is a seemingly small and quiet town, but with enormous history underneath, so many things going on! 

My favorite moments of this collection is when Puhla (another stray dog friend) ran to greet me, and the light just after sunset.

Enjoy!