Zoo Staff Lives Green

The zoo joins the current call at zoos around the world in recent years to establish a “green team” to promote environmental topics at zoos. This comes from the deep commitment to the topics of nature conservation, preserving the Earth, conserving resources, and protecting the quality of the environment.

The zoo staff created its “Ten Commandments” for environmental activity with the following principles:

RRR: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse 

1. Recycle: renewed use of resources – the zoo established a water-purifying station, which enables irrigation of the zoo’s vegetation with reclaimed water and significant savings of water consumption.
2. Reduce: reducing use of energy and natural resources, reducing use of electricity, gas, and water. The zoo established solar energy-harnessing panels in public spaces and on the roof of the aquarium. The zoo strives to reduce the use of vehicles for the sake of treatment, maintenance, and security at the zoo to save gas. The zoo encourages use of public transportation – those who arrive to the zoo via train are eligible for a discount on their admission ticket purchase.
3. Re-use: the zoo places emphasis on reduction in use of materials that are not environmentally friendly, such as disposable utensils and plastic bags. It also emphasizes multiple use of a variety of items for animals, such as leaves, clothing, paper, and more. The zoo’s gardening department makes every effort to plant vegetation which serves as food for the animals, such as olive, carob, and date trees. Tree cuttings are distributed daily for enrichment, play, and food for the animals. Unused tree cuttings are chopped and used as mulch for flower beds. Mulch aids in keeping the ground wet and prevents the sprouting of grasses.

The members of the Zoo’s Green Team include:

Dr. Nili Avni-Magen – Zoological Director and Chief Veterinarian of the zoo, Dr. Avital Paz – Veterinarian responsible for animal nutrition, Michal Araz – Director of the Aviary Section, Ori Ben Gigi – Director of the Children’s Zoo and Australian Yard, Hilit Shulov – Keeper at the Australian Yard, Hagit Albeg – Director of the Marketing Department, Esti Chaim – Human Resources Director, Chezi Sasson – Zoo’s Procurement Director, and Eli Ofrah from the Maintenance Team.

Other topics the Green Team promotes include the establishment of “green roofs,” the roof over the rhinoceros house and the wide roof over the aquarium. These roofs are covered with vegetation to collect rainwater, to provide insulation, to serve as a habitat for local animals, and to lower the urban temperature. We use “green” products as much as possible (paper bags, biodegradable nylon, environmentally friendly cleaning and pesticide products) and raise environmental awareness among visitors through education in “green” thinking. Additionally, the Biblical Zoo continues to be a green site in the heart of the city, attracting many animals and dealing with nature conservation and breeding of animals in danger of extinction.