Bears in the Galilee? Cheetahs in the Negev?
The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem has launched a conservation program to bring them back to the wild.
by Lili Eylon
In 1917, the last bear was seen in Israels north; in 1951 a cheetah was last spotted near Mitzpeh Ramon in the Negev.
According to Shai Doron, director of the zoo, popularly known as the Biblical Zoo, crocodiles, Syrian brown bears, leopards, cheetahs, vultures, fallow deer and other animals mentioned in the Bible once thrived in the Land, but development has destroyed many of their natural habitats. In fact, he adds, most of the animals mentioned in the Bible have all but disappeared in the wild in Israel. "One of the aims of the Biblical Zoo," he stresses, "is to preserve these fauna and return them to the wild."
Some 30 fallow deer bred in the Carmel Nature Reserve are today grazing on the hills of the Galilee; in the Biblical Zoo, the next group is being bred for release to the wild. One griffon vulture has been released and has been seen flying over the Golan Heights; two others are currently in a "halfway house" a 30 meter long cage in the national conservation center in the Carmel Nature Reserve which gets them used to seeing large spaces before being released. Dr. Gabi Ashkar, the zoos vice director and chief veterinarian, explains that the white oryx is the next animal scheduled to be bred in the zoo and released to the wild.
In addition to preservation, the Biblical Zoo focuses on education teaching the hundreds of thousands of annual visitors, young and old, about the wildlife of the Land of Israel.
This summer, the zoo will be celebrating five years at its new, extensive premises in southwestern Jerusalem. Here, some 40 permanent staff members take care of administration, feed the animals, clean the enclosures, and care for the injured and sick members of this animal wonderland. The annual running cost amounts to some three million dollars, most of it derived from income, while development costs are dependent on private donations.
In the zoo, spread out over more than 60 acres, visitors can view some 800 birds, 250 mammals and 50 reptiles. Next to each enclosure, in addition to an inscription detailing the animals habitat and habits, a quotation from the Bible indicates where the animal is mentioned. Both children and adults particularly enjoy the antics of the monkeys and lemurs and are awed by the tricks performed by Chapati, Teddy and Suzanne, three dignified elephants. A hands-on compound where children can pet rabbits and guinea pigs and a maze-like playground are additional attractions. Tired feet can rest in an open mini-train that takes visitors across the zoo, with a guide offering explanations at each exhibit.
A Bibleland Wildlife Preserve where the mix of animal species exhibited in each habitat roam freely, while the onlookers are "caged" has been added this year. The zoo continues to expand projects include a Biblical Safari, a nocturnal house and a joint venture with the nearby Ein Yael complex of ancient agricultural life all in the planning stages.
Also in the works is a Noahs Ark Educational Center, where computer programs will exhibit information about animals mentioned in the Bible. Noah, perhaps the first conservationist, has become a symbol of the zoo; it will be used in its official logo when the Noahs Ark project is completed. In a charmingly imaginative film about Noahs animals, visitors learn the Biblical story, where Noah saved the worlds animals from the Flood; then the story comes to life with the Biblical Zoos efforts to save animals from the dangers of the modern world.