The Safari Zoological Centre, which occupies 100-plus hectares in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, is the largest zoo in the Middle East. It houses 1,600 animals from all over the world, including 68 species of mammals, 130 species of birds and 25 species of reptiles. The word "safari" in the name indicates the type of the park - the animals are not in cages, but as if in the wild, in large fenced areas. Through the window of the car tourists observe the behaviour of wild animals in conditions close to their natural habitat.
This is an exciting trip. The two-lane road loops through an open space that mimics the African savannah. Visitors drive their own cars or take a tourist train. During the journey you can see rhinos, gnu antelopes, oryx, pink flamingos... Here all the cars stand and wait: a hippopotamus leisurely crosses the road. Some animals ignore the passing cars, and some come closer. Never open the windows - if only because the insolent ostrich beggars and zebras try to poke their heads into the car.
But before the string of cars appear double gates. Cautionary signs on numerous billboards read, "Lions are dangerous! Do not leave the car!". This section of the track always excites visitors the most: live lions, a whole pride, strutting around! However, mostly wise animals turn their backs to the cars or just look from afar, lying in the sun.
The most courageous tourists come on night excursions - everything is the same, only in the dark, among the rustles and growls. You can visit the park and early morning - a special excursion provides an opportunity to feed the giraffes.
The idea of creating a safari park in Israel emerged in the early 1950s in the then mayor of Ramat Gan. An expedition was sent to Africa, which returned with the first animals (including the first local elephant). The aliens from Africa adapted well to the Israeli climate. The Safari Park was opened in 1974, and in 1980 the old Tel Aviv Zoo moved here - before that it was located on a small territory in a residential area and no longer met modern requirements. Animals from the old zoo are housed separately from the "savannah", in spacious enclosures, between which visitors can safely walk.
Now there are elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, white rhinos, cockatoos, marabou, anteaters, penguins, lemurs. The zoological centre breeds animals of endangered species (e.g. barkhan cats), and in 2005 a wildlife hospital was opened. More than 2,000 wild animals are treated there every year. Veterinarians here can reattach the broken shell of a bog turtle, rescue a pregnant gazelle hit by a car, or replace broken bones in the wing of an eagle with platinum prosthetics. Usually cured patients are released back into the wild, but some have to be kept. They settle in very well: for example, a wounded she-wolf who had to have her paw amputated became the dominant female in the zoo's flock.
