TLBAA Member’s Lion Statue Installed at Kabul Zoo
TLBAA member Bob Coffee’s bronze likeness of “Marjan”, the blind and battered African lion who became the symbol for the recovery of the Afghan people, has finally taken its place at the gate to the war-torn zoo that was the lion’s home for so long.
The 400 pound statue, a gift from the Austin based Texas Longhorn breeder and sculptor, was received and set in place in May by Kabul city and zoo officials and dedicated during recent ceremonies at the Kabul Zoo entrance.
The Bronze Statue of “Marjan, the Lion” at the Kabul Zoo, Kabul, Afghanistan was sculpted and donated by Bob Coffee, Austin, TX.
The statue was Coffee’s tribute to the valiant old lion whose story, in the fall of 2001, brought world wide attention to the plight of Kabul’s war-torn zoo and its animals. The lion, blinded and scarred by a Taliban’s grenade, fought for survival, despite the near total devastation of his zoo home. Marjan became the rallying point for an international effort, by zoos and animal lovers, to restore the zoo and save its animals. Sadly, Marjan died in 2003, but not before over $500,000 has been raised to restore his zoo home.
Coffee had the lion cast in 2003 and in May, 2004 he delivered it to the North Carolina Zoo – the gathering point for the Kabul Zoo contributions. Marjan’s statue stayed on display at the NC Zoo for over a year until safe shipping to Afghanistan could be arranged.
Now, a proud and permanent likeness of Marjan rests at the gates to the renewed Kabul Zoo – a symbol of strength and hope to the zoo and the Afghan people – and a fitting tribute to their much loved lion.
Coffee, who raises Texas Longhorns at his Travis Peak Ranch near Austin, served the TLBAA as a Director in the ‘80s and ‘90s and was a National Breeder of the Year in 1999. “Secrets” – his bronze of a Texas Longhorn cow and calf – was the second in the TLBAA’s Collectors Series. His work has been exhibited from coast to coast and is in galleries in Texas and New Mexico. During the month of August, he and three other Central Texas sculptors have been invited to show their work in Saltillo, Mexico.
84 Years Young!
Bill Derey, Blackstone, VA, turned 84 on July 8, 2006. At a young 83-years-old (just days before he celebrated number 84) he branded some big heifers
single-handedly!
Bill Derey and his herdsire King Whisper.
Bill began raising and breeding Texas Longhorn cattle in the early '80s and has a herd of big horned cattle that he still works by himself. Guess that goes to show everybody, Texas Longhorn breeders are forever young! He raises blend genetics of WR and Butler breeding and has been using a Whelming King son, King Whisper, as his main herdsire for a number of years.
Huzza, to Bill Derey for wrestling with Texas Longhorns, even at 84-years-young!
If you or your family has any news, the E-Trails wants to hear about it.
So fire off an E-mail or pick up the phone and call the TLBAA office at (817) 625-6241 to let us know about it.
-Cole Dowden
