Tisch Family Zoological Gardens

Tisch Family Zoological Gardens Review

Spread over a scenic 62-acre ridge in the Judean Hills, this zoo has many of the usual species that delight zoo visitors everywhere: monkeys, snakes, and birds, for example. But it goes much further, focusing on two groups of wildlife. The first is creatures mentioned in the Bible that have become locally extinct, some as late as the 20th century. Among these are Asian lions, bears, cheetahs, the Nile crocodile, and the Persian fallow deer. Plaques on the enclosures give biblical references and modern information. The second focus is on endangered species worldwide, among them the Asian elephant and rare macaws. This is a wonderful place to let kids expend some energy (and adults to have some downtime from regular touring). Early morning or late afternoon are the best hours in summer; budget 2½ hours for a really full visit. A wagon train does the rounds of the zoo, at a nominal fee of NIS 2 (not on Saturdays and Jewish holidays). The Noah's Ark Visitors Center has a movie and computer programs. The zoo is served by the Circle Tour bus (line 99), and by city routes 26 (from Central Bus Station) and 33 (from Mt. Herzl). The ride is about 30 minutes; a cab would take 15 minutes from Downtown hotels.