The Limited Times

Foreign Love: The Surprising Way to Safeguard Endangered Animals | Israel Hayom

9/18/2023, 11:35:07 AM

Highlights: Jerusalem Biblical Zoo pairs endangered animals to preserve the species. The zoo is part of a conservation project with the European Association of Zoos (EAZA) The organization enables its member zoos to exchange endangered animals in order to enrich the zoological collection and help breeding programs of the various species. "They have a very strong instinct to be in a pair, also male with male," says a caretaker in the bird department at the Biblical Zoo. "You know immediately which smile gene it will fit in when it reaches adulthood," a zoo official says.


Love around the corner: Jerusalem Biblical Zoo pairs endangered animals to preserve the species • How is the process carried out and which species are still in danger of extinction? All the details

The danger of extinction among animals continues to cause concern around the world, so the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo decided to pick up the gauntlet and "match" the animals instead of other protective mates in the world in order to prevent their extinction, as part of a conservation project with the European Association of Zoos (EAZA).

The organization enables its member zoos to exchange endangered animals in order to enrich the zoological collection and help breeding programs of the various species through various tools for maintaining a stable and genetically healthy population.

Left alone? Womb at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, Photo: Yoni Rikner


The Jerusalem Zoo participates in a number of breeding programs of endangered species by holding and breeding different species. According to Dr. Nili Avni Magen, chief zoological and veterinary director at the zoo, breeding nuclei are produced for species "that we know are extinct from our planet or are in danger of extinction."

She added: "When an animal belonging to the same group is born, such as the Siamang (a gibbon monkey), you know immediately which smile gene it will fit in when it reaches adulthood. Until then, there is a long process towards the transition, in which the ground is prepared in order to continue the generation."

Lions at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, photo: Yoni Rikner


"In the past, the eagle was infested in Israel from Mount Hermon to Eilat, but today there are fewer than 200 vultures in Israel," warned Tal Romano, a caretaker in the bird department at the Biblical Zoo. He noted that in order to preserve the species, it was decided to import vultures from Cyprus, Armenia and Spain: "They have a very strong instinct to be in a pair, also male with male."

But what does all this look like on the surface? According to Noa Danin, head of the zoo's monkey department, there is an introduction between the female and the male. "They have to get used to their new home, get to know their new partners and get to know each other through bars," she said. "Then you open them up and create a pleasant environment for them."

Biblical eagle at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, photo: Yoni Rikner

Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us

Similar news: