Wikipedia

Giza Zoo

The Giza Zoo (Egyptian Arabic: حديقة حيوان الجيزه, romanized: Ḥadīqat Ḥaywān Al-Gīzah) is a zoological garden in Giza, Egypt. It is one of the few green areas in the city, and includes Giza's largest park. The zoo covers about 80 acres (32 ha),[2] and is home to many endangered species, as well as a selection of endemic fauna.

Giza Zoo
Map
Interactive map of Giza Zoo
Date opened1891[1] (135 years ago)
LocationGiza, Egypt
Land area80 acres (32 ha)[2]
No. of animals6,000[1]
No. of species175[1]
Annual visitors3.4 million (2007)[3]
MembershipsPAAZAB[4]
OwnerEgyptian Government
Websitewww.gizazoo-eg.com

The first to be built in the Middle East and Africa, rare species have been successfully bred in the zoo—including the first California sea lion to be born in the region.[citation needed]

History

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The zoo was built by Khedive Ismail and opened on 1 March 1891. It was built on about 50 feddan (21 hectares (52 acres)) that was once part of the harem gardens. Ismail imported many plants from India, Africa, and South America, of which a banyan tree planted about 1871 can still be seen. The original 180 birds and 78 other animals in the zoo's collection were taken from Ismail's private menagerie.[5]

In the late 1870s, the state took over the zoo as partial payment of the Ismail's debts. In January 1890, the harem building was opened as a natural history museum, and was used in this manner until a new museum was opened in Tahrir Square in 1902. The portion of the gardens facing the Nile were sold to the public for large homes, but the harem gardens were kept intact.[5]

When the zoo was built, the exhibits with semi-natural habitats were considered spacious by European standards. The animal collection emphasized Egyptian species, and at one time claimed 20,000 individuals representing 400 species, though many of these may have been migratory birds.

Around 1900, Captain Stanley Smyth Flower was appointed director of the Gardens. He would remain in that position until his retirement in 1923.[5] From 1906 to 1923, Michael John Nicoll was his assistant. For a short time he was director, but the next year he had to retire.[6] J. Lewis Bonhote worked at the Gardens from 1913 to 1919.[7]

By the mid-twentieth century, the zoo was considered one of the best zoos in the world, but it has had trouble adapting to the pressures of growth in the latter half of the century as human populations in Cairo have increased.[8]

By the end of World War II the zoo claimed 4,700 exhibits, with a total of 700 mammals and 500 reptiles. Attendance levels of 43,567 in 1889 rose to 223,525 by 1906.[5] In 2007, the zoo hosted almost 3.4 million visitors.[3]

In 2004, the zoo lost its membership with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA),[1] because it did not pay membership fees, and then ignored the recommendations of WAZA inspectors.[9] As of 2010, it is a member of the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB),[4] and is working towards getting re-accredited by WAZA.

In December 2022, Egyptian authorities announced a comprehensive redevelopment program for Giza Zoo and the adjacent Orman Botanical Garden. The initiative marked the beginning of a large-scale effort to restore the zoo's international standing while preserving its historic character. The zoo officially closed to the public in July 2023 to facilitate the redevelopment works. Initially expected to reopen in early 2025, the project timeline was later extended to allow further construction, habitat development, and accreditation preparations.[10]

The redevelopment is being implemented through a partnership involving the Ministry of Military Production, specialized Egyptian entities, and international zoological consultants. The project includes investments exceeding one billion Egyptian pounds, with long-term expenditures expected to be significantly higher. A key component of the redevelopment is the involvement of internationally recognized zoological experts, including British animal specialist Bernard Harrison. The UAE-based company Worldwide Zoo, known for its role in managing Dubai Safari Park and Al Ain Zoo, was appointed to provide expertise in animal management, staff training, welfare standards, and behavioral enrichment programs.[11][12]

The African Association of Zoos and Aquaria approved the master plan, which calls for increasing the number of animal species from approximately 71 to 186. Many of the new species will be exhibited for the first time in the zoo's history. To support this objective, Hadayek Company—the entity responsible for the development and operation of Giza Zoo and Orman Garden—announced plans to introduce 118 new species from multiple countries. The program includes the arrival of four lions, three tigers, and hundreds of additional animals intended to enhance biodiversity and create more representative ecosystems. The project also includes the importation of approximately 362 additional animals, with larger and more naturalistic habitats designed according to international welfare standards.[13]

One of the most notable developments is the return of Asian elephants to Giza Zoo. In preparation, Hadayek sent four animal-care specialists—three from Egypt and one from France—to Georgia for intensive training in elephant husbandry and welfare. The training was conducted in response to requirements imposed by international wildlife authorities responsible for approving elephant transfers. A new elephant complex exceeding 20,000 square meters is being constructed, featuring modern facilities, bathing areas, and environmental enrichment systems.[13]

The redevelopment includes a comprehensive digital transformation program intended to establish Giza Zoo as one of the most technologically advanced zoological parks in the region. Through a partnership between Hadayek and e& Egypt Business, the project introduces: smart management systems, advancec security and surveillance infrastructure, electronic ticketing and reservation systems, digital payment solutionsInteractive educational platforms, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, and artificial intelligence applications for operations and visitor services.[13]

Preservation of the zoo's historic identity remains a central component of the redevelopment. More than 5,000 trees are being protected during construction, while major restoration projects are being carried out under the supervision of heritage authorities. Major landmarks undergoing restoration include: the Eiffel Suspension Bridge, the Japanese Kiosk, the Candlestick Grotto, the Creativity Grotto, historic gates and pathways, and heritage lakes and ornamental structures.[10]

A defining feature of the redevelopment is the integration of Giza Zoo with the neighboring Orman Botanical Garden. Together, the two sites cover approximately 112 feddans, creating one of the largest contiguous green spaces in Greater Cairo.[14]

Animals

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Facilities

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The gardens include roads paved with black stone flags from Trieste, footpaths decorated with pebbles laid out like mosaics, and a pond with a marble island that is now the zoo's Tea Island.[5]

The zoo also includes a suspension bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel that lets visitors view the animals from above. This bridge may have been the first elevated viewing area at any zoo in the world.[8]

There is a reptile house and taxidermist's building on site.[citation needed]

The future

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As part of the upgrades to help the zoo recover its membership in WAZA, in 2008 the bear exhibit was outfitted with fans and misters to help cool the bears. There are plans to run chilled water through the floors to make the bears more comfortable.[9]

The zoo suffered from neglect for decades,[16] but finally in December 2022,[17] the intention to develop the zoo was announced. The zoo was officially closed in July 2023.[18] It was planned that the closure would continue for 18 months and the zoo would open at the beginning of 2025,[19] but the opening was postponed, and the official opening of the Giza Zoo will be in September 2025.[20]

See also

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Notes

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  1. 1 2 3 4 "Changes Underway at Giza Zoo". redorbit.com. redOrbit. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Giza Zoo > History". Giza Zoo. 2009. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  3. 1 2 "History". gizazoo-eg.com. Giza Zoo. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Giza Zoo". gizazoo-eg.com. Giza Zoo. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "THE CAIRO ZOO". egy.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  6. ↑ Ticehurst, N.F. (January 1926). "Obituary: Michael John Nicoll". British Birds. 19 (8): 207. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  7. ↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2009). The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. JHU Press. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-8018-9533-3. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  8. 1 2 "Could the Giza Zoo become a rescue center?". animalpeoplenews.org. Animal People News. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  9. 1 2 Johnston, Cynthia (10 August 2008). "Bears chill out as Cairo zoo reforms". reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  10. 1 2 "Renovated Giza Zoo will preserve old trees, add 115 animal species - Society - Egypt". Ahram Online. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  11. ↑ "لمدة عام.. الحكومة تبدأ خطة كبرى لتطوير حديقة الحيوان ..وهذا موعد الإغلاق". صدى البلد (in Arabic). 8 July 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "What to expect from the Giza Zoo post-revamp". EnterpriseAM Egypt. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  13. 1 2 3 علي, مصطفى (6 December 2025). "كيف تستعد حديقة الحيوان لاستقبال الأفيال الآسيوية؟ 20 ألف متر و4 أخصائيين (صور)". خاص مصر (in Arabic). Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  14. ↑ "Egypt to privatize Giza Zoo operations, phased reopening set for 2026 - Society - Egypt". Ahram Online. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Giza Zoo". gizazoo.gov.eg. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  16. ↑ Khairat, Mohamed (28 February 2015). "Egypt's Zoo Of Horrors Where Animals Are Tortured And Garbage Piles Up | Egyptian Streets". Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  17. ↑ "Giza zoo to be reborn with transformation into open-range zoo - Society - Egypt". Ahram Online. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  18. ↑ Independent, Egypt (11 July 2023). "Giza Zoo shuts down for 18 months, ticket prices to skyrocket after development: Official". Egypt Independent. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  19. ↑ "Enterprise — Essential business, finance and policy news from the Arab world". Enterprise. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  20. ↑ "Giza Zoo to Reopen in September After Major Renovations". SecneNow. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
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