Wildlife Nature Photograph of a young lioness in Al Mawa Jordan by Jordan Wildlife Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

With over 110 hectares of species specific enclosures, Al Ma'wa Nature & Wildlife serves as a safe haven in Jerash for rescued animals of all kinds. As of 2020, the animals within their care are lions, tigers, bears, and hyenas.

Al Ma'wa was established in partnership with the Princess Alia Foundation and the International animal welfare organization by the name of four paws. As with other hidden jewels across the Jordanian landscape, not many Jordanian locals or international tourists are aware of the Al Ma'wa Nature and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Al Ma'wa Social Media Specialist Tammy Katamine Photograph by Jordan Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

Tammy Katamine, the social media manager for the Al Ma'wa Nature and Wildlife Sanctuary. While exploring the sanctuary in the mountains of Jerash Tammy Katamine told me stories of the individual animals. it had became painfully clear that there was a lot more going on with regards to the exotic animal trade in the black market. Some animals have been found on the border of Jordan being smuggled to and from locations such as Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and many more neighboring countries for a variety of reasons.

Al Ma'wa Social Media Manager Tammy Katamine Photographing the bear in the Al Mawa Sanctuary by Jordan Photojournalist Rashad Anabtawi

Wildlife Nature Photograph of a young Resting Lioness in Al Mawa Jordan by Jordan Wildlife Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

Wildlife Nature Photograph of a young lion Cub in Al Mawa Jordan by Jordan Wildlife Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

Close Up Photograph of a Lion Cub Eye by Wildlife Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

There was a lot of trauma. Many animals had suffered physical and psychological abuse before finding their home in the nature reserve. Upon arriving, species specific animal experts check up and diagnose the animal in question, making sure that they get the best medical treatment available. After receiving medical treatment the animals were now to be rehabilitated. Some animals were still able to be reintegrated into the wild and join their fellow brethren and sisters in the wilderness; others, unfortunately, had been captured and abused at too young of an age and had grown up in dysfunctional situations for far too long and would not have survived being reintegrated into the wild, as their social skills are inept and under developed.

Wildlife Nature Photograph of a young lion Cub sleeping in Al Mawa Jordan by Jordan Wildlife Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

O_N_0031.jpgWildlife Nature Photograph of a resting Young Lion Cub in Al Mawa Jordan by Jordan Wildlife Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

Companionship is extremely important for the animals in the Al Ma'wa Nature and Wildlife reserve. Lions are gradually introduced to each other so they can form a small pride. Some animals such as the tiger duo (Tasha & Sky), who were being smuggled across the border as cubs stuffed into small kitten travel boxes, are now inseparable.

Wildlife Conservation Photograph of two Tigers Tasha and Sky in Al Ma'wa Nature and Wildlife Reserve in Jerash Jordan by Jordan Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

The Al Ma'wa Nature and Wildlife Reserve faces many different challenges. One of which is a perceptual obstacle held by many of the locals. The two prevailing systems of thought are: 1.) That the Al Ma'wa Nature and Wildlife sanctuary is nothing more than a large zoo, and 2.) That if all this money, and effort, and time is to be spent on rescuing lives, why not the lives of the refugees in neighboring countries, if not the less fortunate in the local Jordanian scene?

Photograph of the people of Jordan Walking through Al Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife in Jerash by Jordan Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

Tours are held almost daily with local animal trainers and specialists in order to help inform the local and international travelers about the current situation. The stories of the animals are shared through effective storytelling.