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.