Giza Zoo, Orman botanical garden to be renovated into open range zoo

Egyptian Giza Zoo and Orman botanical garden will closed for renovation starting from July 9, the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation media adviser, Ahmed Ibrahim, announced on Sunday.

A Ministry of Military Production committee will be responsible for the renovations in both parks, with Bernard Harrison and Friends, the world’s zoo development consultancy’s participation.

The Giza Zoo renovation aims to improve the park for it to meet international standards, and bring back its position as an international recognized zoo, the Ministry of Agriculture’s media office said in a statement.

The project will be transforming the Giza Zoo into an open range zoo, applying the highest global safety standards, and bringing new and rare species of animals, to increase the variety of animals, the statement added.

The project will preserve the historical aspect of the parks and their rare plants and trees, the African Union of Zoos and the International Union of Zoos will be overseeing the zoo.

The zoo, which is the third oldest zoo globally, and the oldest in Africa, and was built by Khedive Ismail, was dropped from the list of internationally recognized zoos in 2004, due to its non-compliance with international animal housing standards.

Maged El-Serty, CEO of the National Military Production Company for Projects, announced back in December plans to renovate Giza Zoo, which was opened in 1891, and Orman Garden, also built by Khedive Ismail, and would take 18 months.

The project includes operating a gondola lift that connects the Giza Zoo and the Orman botanical garden.