Tortoise on wheels – August 2008
"Arava", a disabled African tortoise is using her new set of wheels to get around in more ways than one. "Arava" arrived in at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo a few months ago from a petting zoo in southern Israel with the unexplained handicap. The 25-kilo tortoise is paralyzed in her hind legs, and is unable to move herself with her front legs alone. The zoo's staff built her a metal board with two wheels that can be strapped around her shell. Since then, "Arava" has found new mobility and sometimes races with the other surprised healthy tortoises that were used to seeing her in one place all the time. Her renewed mobility has also spurred new romance with an amorous ten-year-old male. The devise is still a little bit heavy, so plans are made to develop a lighter one in the future. In the meantime – "Arava" uses her equipment only a few hours a day and gets physiotherapy and massage treatments to try and stimulate her paralyzed legs.

 

New Giant Aldabra tortoise  Exhibit - At the Zoo - July 2008
The Giant Tortoise Exhibit was dedicated by The Israeli Friends of the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in honor of Teddy Kollek, who was the No. 1 friend of the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem. Teddy Kollek was former mayor of the Jerusalem from 1965 to 1993. During his time in office and after retirement, the zoo was a place close to Teddy's heart and he saw it as a central part of the city, its residents and its visitors. The decision to build the Giant tortoise exhibit in honor of Teddy Kollek comes to symbolize the former mayor's vision. Teddy envisioned the zoo becoming a center for wildlife conservation open to all. Step by step, Teddy's vision is coming true. In the same way, the Giant tortoise exhibit requires vision and perseverance. The Giant tortoises that have come to Jerusalem are still small in size, but will grow during the years to come and will reach their adult measures: shield length of 140 cm and weight of 250 kg. More so, they are likely to live up to 150 years! But despite the size and longevity of the Giant tortoise, they are today in danger of extinction and zoos around the world are actively trying to insure the existence of this picturesque creature.
More about Giant Tortoises


 

The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo vote for the Griffin Vulture as the national bird - May 2008
The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo participates in selecting the national bird of Israel. Hundreds of zoo visitors have voted for Israel's national bird during their visit to the zoo. As part of the 60 years of independence events it has been decided to select a national bird. The national bird will be chosen through the participation of citizens, soldiers, pupils, students, academics and nature patrollers. Many countries in the world have a bird that is regarded as the national bird, representing the particular nation, its values, character and population. This issue has educational, environmental, symbolic and ideological significance, particularly among pupils. The selection of Israel's national bird will promote and intensify the awareness and knowledge of the country's citizens with the bird life in Israel and abroad. 5 million birds migrate yearly through Israel. 206 species stay in Israel and rear their young. The project is driven by the Society for Protection of Nature in Israel, the Israeli Ornithological Center, the International Center for the Study of Bird Migration, Latron, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Education.
The ten final nominees are:

Bulbul Yellow-vented                        Spur-winged Plover   
Lesser Kestrel                                   Graceful Warbler
Hoopoe                                                Palestine Sunbird
European Goldfinch                          Barn owl
White-breasted Kingfisher              Griffin Vulture

The Griffin Vulture - the largest bird of prey in Israel is one of the candidates. The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo holds a breeding and reintroduction program for this fascinating bird. Join "Teddy" the elephant and our visitors and vote for Israel's national bird. Last date to vote May 8th 2008. You may vote via the internet at the SPNI website.

Reintrodiction program of the Persian fallow-deer continues
The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo continues its efforts in the Persian fallow-deer reintroduction project. Six deer have recently been released back to the wild. Tracking of the deer is conducted by radio-telemetry transmitters, giving us information about their well-being. The Persian fallow deer became extinct in Israel in the early 20th century. The Jerusalem Zoo joined the Persian fallow-deer conservation efforts in 1997, when the first individuals were brought to the Zoo to its "Biblical-Animals Land" exhibit. It was decided to start reintroducing Persian fallow-deer to the wild at the Kziv Stream Nature Reserve in the western Galilee wild. Today there are more than 200 deer in that area, making it the worlds' largest wild group. In recent years the Zoo and INNPPA initiated a second reintroduction project, this time at the Jerusalem Hills region. More than 40 deer have been released and we have received reports of spotted deer in areas such as: Ramat Raziel, Kiryat Ye'arim, Zur Hadassah, Sataf, and Mt. Eithan. We would be glad to hear of your reports: jeruzoo@jerusalemzoo.org.il.