Save Israel's Birds of Prey

After nearly two months of closure due to the covid-19 virus restrictions, the Zoo re-opened in mid-May under certain restrictions.

Special precautions have been put in place to protect both visitors and staff alike: face masks are mandatory at all times; special disinfection of handrails, public restrooms and other areas; closure of water fountains, indoor exhibits and exhibits with crawling tunnels (such as the prairie dogs).

Additionally, the Zoo has added a number of special stations for hand washing and water-bottle filling with non-touch, infra-red technology.

 In the Birds of Prey department, the hatching season has gone on as usual. This year we managed to have 10 successful hatchings of griffon vulture eggs. The chicks have survived and all have been adopted by couples in the aviary at the Zoo or in the National Parks in  the north.

This year we do not have any chicks being hand fed behind the scenes at the Zoo.

In the Red Kestrel exhibit, it was decided not the physically remove the eggs this year and transfer them to the National Center for Raptor Egg Incubation. The eggs in the Exhibit unfortunately did not have any successful hatchings.

I have added some pictures of a beautiful eagle owl who was brought injured to the Zoo, treated in our clinic and then transferred for release back into the wild by the Israel Parks and Nature Authority. Pictured is Shahar Kara, the Zoo's Chief Keeper.

Stay safe and healthy, 

 Rachael and the Bird Team