| Zoo Name: | Petah Tikva Zoo |
| Location: | Petah Tikva, Israel |
The Petah Tikva Zoo is a small zoo located in Petah Tikva, adjacent to the Yad Labanim Park, and it opened to the public in 1996. Previously, the zoo was larger and housed large animals such as giraffes, camels, and elephants. However, with the increase in the city's population, the noise created by the animals and the cost of land led to a reduction in the variety of animals at the zoo.[1]
The origins of the Petah Tikva Zoo date back to 1954 when it was a small animal corner in a public garden in the city, known today as the President's Garden. Subsequently, the animal corner was moved to the pine grove at the intersection of Sharet and Palmach Streets. Over time, new and diverse animals were added. The zoo developed to such an extent that it could no longer coexist with the growing urban population surrounding it. The zoo housed large animals like giraffes, elephants, leopards, lions, hyenas, wolves, bears, hippos, and camels. The noise and smells disturbed the nearby residents, and after much deliberation, it was decided to close the existing zoo and establish a modern zoo more suitable for the urban environment.
The new zoo was established by the Petah Tikva Municipality for the benefit of the residents in 1996. The new zoo is modern and provides good and fair living conditions for the animals residing there.
Visitors can purchase animal food boxes and feed (not manually) some of the animals by throwing the food into a large pipe that ends in an open wooden box inside the enclosure. Additionally, there is a petting area with rabbits and guinea pigs that can be petted at specific times of the zoo.[2]
In addition to the animals in enclosures around the zoo, peacocks, chickens, and pigeons roam freely.
The rock display is the exhibit that houses the largest animals in the zoo. Among the species in this exhibit are:
The enclosure was previously used for meerkats but underwent renovations and temporarily housed birds such as pigeons and pheasants. Afterwards, the meerkats were returned to the enclosure. Around the enclosure and near the entrance to the aviary are:
In the center of the zoo, there is a lake where ornamental fish can be seen. In the middle of the lake is a large central island where various waterfowl species live:
Additionally, there is another small island in the lake, enclosed with bars, and it is connected to the enclosure of the tufted capuchin monkeys.
The island enclosure provides an interesting enrichment for the tufted capuchins and a different perspective on these monkeys.
The bird aviary is a large, enclosed aviary with a walking path. It is the exhibit in the zoo with the highest number of animals. The walking path in the aviary passes through dense tropical vegetation mazes, and there is a large lake in the aviary that connects to the central lake in the zoo with small waterfalls. In the bird aviary, waterfowl and wading birds can be found, including:
- Parrot and Ornamental Bird Path - Part of the path has glass enclosures with parrots and other birds, including:
Flamingo Enclosure - Another section of the path has a flamingo enclosure with five Chilean flamingos.
Mara Enclosure - The zoo houses four maras that have moved to a new exhibit from the old emu enclosure, replacing the barred chicken enclosures. Alongside the enclosure, there are aviaries with birds like finches, weavers, quails, and more.
Rhea Enclosure - In the rhea enclosure, there are several rheas and spurred tortoises. Additionally, adjacent to the enclosure is an enclosure of common tortoises. Nearby, there is a seating tribune for the audience.
The monkey complex is a special walking path where visitors are inside an enclosure with a tunnel through which they pass. The species of monkeys in the enclosure are tufted capuchins and ring-tailed lemurs, with a separation between the enclosures of the two species. Additionally, the path has a roof providing shade for visitors and allows for hand contact with the capuchins and lemurs through the bars.
The reptile room houses reptiles and insects. Among the animals present are:
Snakes:
Insects:
The Taxidermy Museum is one of the largest in Israel. Most of the taxidermy specimens are in aquariums preventing contact and include a background simulating the natural environment, while other specimens are open but not for touching. The museum has large taxidermy specimens like a polar bear, bison, and lion, as well as smaller specimens of various mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, and a butterfly collection.