Alexandria Zoo

Alexandria Zoo

A giraffe at Alexandria Zoo
Date opened 1958[1]
Location Alexandria, Egypt
Major exhibits Hill of Lions, Apes Hill, Swan Lake
Website No official Web site available

The Alexandria Zoo is a zoo close to the Smouha neighborhood in Alexandria, Egypt. The zoo charges an entrance fee, this allows guests to walk around the zoo and view a selection of animals from around the world..

Contents

Animals

The species on display include an Asian elephant, common hippopotamus, lions, Bengal tigers, leopards, striped hyenas, California sea lions, giraffes, zebras, nilgai, scimitar horned oryx, a selection of bears (including a polar bear), monkeys,[2] Dromedary camels, Barbary sheep, and a red fox and raccoon.[1]

Exhibits

The zoo also includes a reptile house and a 'birds and small mammals' section,[2] as well as a museum. The reptile house is home to several endemic Egyptian species, including the Egyptian cobra, the Nile crocodile and the critically endangered Egyptian tortoise.

Several aviaries are home to hawks, eagles, falcons, African crested porcupines, Egyptian mongooses, and several breeds of cats and dogs.[1]

Criticism

By the early 2000s the zoo was in disrepair from neglect. Animal Aid Egypt, along with a group of volunteers started helping improve the animal living conditions. They talked zoo authorities into freeing the zoos elephant from chains during the day, to roam freely, as well as building her some shade an reinforcing her night quarters. They worked with keepers to improve the chimp's diet and added enrichment to their outside enclosures, and are trying to get wooden floors in their night enclosures.[3]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c "Alexandria Zoo - August 2009". zoochat.com. ZooChat. 14 November 2009. http://www.zoochat.com/920/alexandria-zoo-august-2009-a-116064/. 
  2. ^ a b "Alexandria". egyptiantravelguide.com. Egyptian Travel Guide. http://www.egyptiantravelguide.com/alexandria. 
  3. ^ "About Us". animalaidegypt.org. Animal Aid Egypt. http://www.animalaidegypt.org. 

External links

Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Alexandria_Zoo Alexandria Zoo] at Wikimedia Commons