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History of the Zoo |
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 The
Jerusalem Biblical Zoo was originally established in 1940 as a tiny
little children's zoo on Harav Kook Street in central Jerusalem. The zoo
was founded and established by the late Prof. Aharon Shulov, one of the
pioneers in the field of zoology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
In 1941, a somewhat larger zoo was established on Shmuel Hanavi Street
in Jerusalem. This one covered an area of 4.5 dunams (0.45 hectares, or
just over one acre). In 1947 the zoo was moved to Mt. Scopus, where the
Hebrew University had a plot of land set aside for it. As a result of
the evident suffering of the animals during and after Israel's War of
Independence in 1948, a decision was made to transfer the zoo once
again, this time to a new and larger area of 60 dunams (6 hectares, or
just under 15 acres) in Givat Komuna, adjacent to the neighbourhood of
Romema. The zoo remained here for 41 years, from 1950 to 1991. During
this time it gradually developed into a well-known and beloved
attraction. The old zoo closed in 1991, and the process of moving to the
new location was begun.
Today, the Jerusalem
Biblical Zoo, as it is still unofficially known, stretches across an
area of 250 dunams (25 hectares or 62 acres) in a lovely valley
surrounded by green hills and new neighbourhoods. The zoo encircles a
small lake situated near the main gate. The lake is fed by a series of
pools and waterfalls that flow one into the other. Spacious lawns and
shady beauty spots surround the lake and pools. The water system is
artificial, and relies on recycled water. The zoo is built on two main
levels that house most of the animal exhibits. One main, circular route
extends the length of both levels and connects most of the sites on the
zoo grounds. Additional side paths also connect the two levels, and
exhibits are situated along these paths as well.
The zoo reopened in its
current location near the southwestern Jerusalem neighbourhood of
Manahat (formerly Malkha) in 1993. It was now The Tisch Family
Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem - The Biblical Zoo.
Source: official site of
Jerusalem Zoo (2014)
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