The Giza Zoo: Boo!

5Aug/0920

It seems that rumours about transferring Egypt’s Giza Zoo to another place outside Cairo in June 2009 have been partially deactivated by the efforts of Dr. Zahi Hawass, secretary general of ‘The Supreme Council of Antiquities’ who declared parts of it as ‘antiquities’ specially the ‘architectural landmarks’ such as Japanese Kiosk and Citadel Hill.

As an Egyptian Architect, I am supposed to feel happy for such decision however I strangely did not enjoy it that much unless such decision is the first step on the thousands miles way Egypt shall go before we sleep!

An Overview for the Zoo

Giza Zoo Main Entrance Gate At first, let me briefly present the zoo since I discovered that many Egyptians know nothing about its history and importance but the name and the location.

Located at the heart of Cairo near the west bank of the Nile River with its northern tip overlooking Cairo University, this 80 Feddan (100 acres) plot embraced a unique collection of animals, birds, and plants species since officially opened for public on March 1st, 1891.

Prior the openning date, Khedive Ismail Pasha (1863-1879), grandson of Muhammed Ali Pasha (1805-1848), was the first Egyptian ruler to think about opening a zoo on the occasion of the inauguration of the Suez Canal in 1869 however he could not afforded it due to the lake of time and maybe funding, I am not sure of the last.

Since opening, the zoo has played an important role as an institute to study the behaviour of the species collected their, which labelled it as one of the richest places for the wild African animal life, especially that the climate of Egypt helped in preserving the exhibition of such collection. It was the only -and later the largest- zoo in North Africa and Middle East.

Such qualifications nominated it to be one of the founding members of the ‘World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)’ in the past century. Nevertheless, unfortunately due to many reasons on our own that I want to know, the zoo has been eliminated from WAZA’s international body as the aftermath their investigations back in 2003/2004. Shortly after, its membership was terminated after dues went unpaid.

Reservation not Evacuation

I think it is clear now why I am not happy as supposed to be; it is not only about the ‘architectural value’ of the place -despite its importance which no one can deny of course- however Egypt need to work in parallel on the physical restoration of this unique zoological garden to bring back its label as reputable institute for studding behaviours for the unique collections of the species there.

A basic fact is that what was valid in 1891 is not working in 2009, so I see that such work needs a serious plan that takes into consideration:

Zoo Managment: A sustainable management systems for a zoological garden to be implemented by speciallits;
Places and Species: Establishing an up-to-date framework on how to deal with both the architectural places and living creatures;
Weather: The current changes in Cairo’s weather, specially polution, needs another approach, out of the box.

Campaign + Initiative

If there was a sum of money planned to spend on transferring the zoo to another location, it would have been more useful to implement in the suggested restoration.

On the other hand, I do believe that many scientists and activists either locally or globally, might be interested in such plan, so what about launching a campaign that may lead to an initiative to restore Giza Zoo back? I am thinking about a model that may lead to establish partnership between NGO/NPO and the government, something like what happened in Al-Azhar Park in Cairo as a part of the ‘Aga-Khan Trust for Culture Programme’, and of course with a different scope of work.

A sustainable development for our zoo might makes it an extraordinary opportunity for regular tourism and scientific studies that can nourish in case we worked on this passionately. Just imagine the place as workshop for kids who want to know more about the already places species! Endless ideas can be generated and fund the project too.

I do believe we are not talking about a luxurious plan but indeed an essential one to restore and improve the life of the different living species their plus working on decreasing polution in the core of our capital, Cairo. Hey! we are not strating from the begining.

p.s. I found a website that claim ‘Welcome to Official Egypt Zoo Website’ and it seems no update available since 2006 so it will be a nice idea to develop it too! Nevertheless I also wonders why the domain is not ‘.gov.eg’ since it claims being official?!

If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. ~ [Milton Berle]

Related Sites

Egyptian Zoo

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Categories: Environment, Reflections
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Published by Hicham
on August 5, 2009 | 4:00 PM

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Comments (20) Trackbacks (1) [ follow-up comments on this post ]

ibhog
August 5th, 2009 @ 18:43

I liked this post a lot; resourceful and to the point.

And it made me reminisce about Zoo trips since school days, and how much I miss the entertainment.

I suggest publicity is a next step in your suggested campaign, a blog, a facebook effort … I’d be happy to help.
ibhog´s last blog ..Facebook Praise

( REPLY )
- Hicham
  August 10th, 2009 @ 22:03
  
  Thanks ibhog. There’s already a group of NGO/NPO animal activists over Facebook who are interested in preserving the zoo. Anyway I will inform you if there’s something to do regarding this.
  
  ( REPLY )
Quest
August 5th, 2009 @ 23:20

Looks like you’ve got yourself a new reader. Nice to make your virtual acquaintance, never would have thought a topic on egypt’s zoo would do the trick, but there you have it. Imagination reigns once again.

Best, and looking forward,
Q
Quest´s last blog ..Journalism with a

( REPLY )
- Hicham
  August 10th, 2009 @ 22:04
  
  Thanks Quest and welcome to my blog. Indeed, Egypt’s unique zoo can make something, hopefully!
  
  ( REPLY )
Peter Dickinson
August 6th, 2009 @ 05:57

Very interesting observations. Sadly today, and for quite some time the Giza Zoo has been famous for all the wrong reasons. I have yet to hear anything good about the place. I have open invitations to visit but time and money holds me back. I have met and work alongside a few ex Giza vets.
Peter Dickinson´s last blog ..Zoo News Digest 30th July – 5th August 2009 (Zoo News 610)

( REPLY )
- Hicham
  August 10th, 2009 @ 22:08
  
  Yes Peter, very sad indeed. I read many posts, complaints online regarding our zoo and personally have seen the situation there. I am glad that there’s a group of activists working on preserving the zoo in Egypt and hopefulluy it will be back.
  
  Thanks for stopping by here, Peter!
  
  ( REPLY )
Mohaly
August 6th, 2009 @ 18:37

I support renovation and upgrading of the zoo, it is one of the oldest and has no negative effect of being within the town.

( REPLY )
- Hicham
  August 10th, 2009 @ 22:09
  
  Exactly, Dr. Mohamed!
  
  ( REPLY )
Aliaa El zeiny
August 6th, 2009 @ 21:55

really interesting! Never knew all that information about the Zoo… Loved the quote: If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door
Aliaa El zeiny´s last blog ..Bridget Jones had it Easy!

( REPLY )
- Hicham
  August 10th, 2009 @ 22:09
  
  Thanks Aliaa. It’s amazing, especially when I recall how it was when I was kid, 20 years ago!
  
  ( REPLY )
Ahmad Bekdash
August 9th, 2009 @ 14:44

Even the tress there has history
well done

Best Regards

( REPLY )
- Hicham
  August 10th, 2009 @ 22:10
  
  Exactly Ahmad, and this is another reason for the fail of anykind of transferring
  
  ( REPLY )
Hesham
August 9th, 2009 @ 21:30

Thank you Hicham for the great review for Egyptian Zoo, I agree with you that this website doesn’t seem to be the official website for the zoo, it says at the footer “All Rights Reserved Egypt Zoom 2006-2008″, What is “Zoom”?! I don’t think this kind of mistakes could exist on an official website! even the design looks like a ready made template and there is no Arabic language.. Can you believe that?! also another thing is the company who developed this website, I don’t think that official websites like to the company who developed it!

Good work!
Hesham´s last blog ..What’s Going On my Twitter

( REPLY )
- Hicham
  August 10th, 2009 @ 22:13
  
  Exactly Hesham! Your questions + wonders came accross my mind and that is why I linked to it.
  
  It seems to me that this is either an unofficial work by an animal activist from Egypt or an unoffical work by an official from the zoo managment team. Claiming that ‘Egypt Zoo’ is wierd for me!
  
  ( REPLY )
Blogspot to wordpress
August 18th, 2009 @ 11:49

I have heard about the Giza Zoo earlier but for different reason, most of them indulge with bad things… Good to gather some more information here. I’m not very find of such story but I also don’t mind reading a bit about historical places.
Blogspot to wordpress´s last blog ..Review Of Hostgator Webhosting Wordpress

( REPLY )
- Hicham
  August 27th, 2009 @ 14:30
  
  Hopefully the situation will be better as a group of local activits are working on protecting the Zoo! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
  
  ( REPLY )
Zeinobia
August 19th, 2009 @ 20:38

Thank you so Hisham for sharing this information with the rest of the world. by the way the danger is not over because there are rumors that they will keep the Zoo but will transfer the animals which is just too ridiculous if you ask , I do not think that the New York Zoo was transferred because it is surrounded by high skyscrapers !!??
Zeinobia´s last blog ..Follow Up : Public Transportation Drivers Strike goes

( REPLY )
- Hicham
  August 21st, 2009 @ 16:22
  
  Of course, Zeinobia they would have not transfere it. I am aware that there is a group of animal activists working on this on the short run.
  
  ( REPLY )
  - Zeinobia
    August 21st, 2009 @ 17:33
    
    There are and I contacted some of them , unfortunately they need more support from the civi society
    Zeinobia´s last blog ..Meanwhile in Libya
    
    ( REPLY )
    - Hicham
      August 21st, 2009 @ 19:00
      
      I know exactly what you mean, especially if you are talking about ‘Dina’ and her group.
      
      ( REPLY )

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