Jerusalem Biblical Zoo – Visitors Guide

Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens, is Israel’s top-rated zoo focusing on wildlife conservation and education.

Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, as the name suggests, is located in Jerusalem. And it is open on Saturday and is one of my favorite zoos in Israel. On this note, let’s go over the essential information.

Note: Check out Zoos and Aquariums in Israel‎ for additional information about animals and wildlife. Also, in Zoos and Aquariums in Israel‎, you can see the user ratings of all places. According to it, Jerusalem Biblical Zoo has the highest zoo score in Israel – the best zoo.

Map

The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens is at 1 Derech Aharon Shulov, Jerusalem.

Directions for drivers: Link to Waze and Link to Google Maps
Directions for public transport: Link to Moovit

Interactive map of the area:

And here is a map of the zoo.

Note: you can click on the map to enlarge it.

Jerusalem Biblical Zoo is located on the slopes of a mountain. The entrance and the nearby lake are at the bottom, and you must walk uphill for the rest. Also, on the map, you can see five train stops. Train tickets are available at an additional cost.

Note: the train does not run on Saturdays and holidays.

Directions

The zoo is located at 1 Derech Aharon Shulov, Jerusalem, and you can use the navigation links above the interactive map. There are several free parking lots. But keep in mind that on Saturdays, they are filled quickly. Thus, I would suggest arriving at the opening time.

If you arrive by public transport, here is a link to Moovit, where the endpoint is set. Change the start point to your location, and you will get the updated directions. Also, I want to mention a train station next to the zoo (named after the zoo). The zoo even offers a discount if you use the train. The downside is that it is part of the old line. Hence, getting there using this train line will take more time.

Opening Hours

Sunday – Thursday: 9:00 – 19:00
Friday and holiday eve: 9:00 – 16:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 18:00

Entry is allowed one hour before closing time. Tickets must be purchased at the cash register at least two hours before closing.

Entrance Fee

You can purchase tickets either on their website or on-site. Here are the prices:
Adult – 71 NIS
Child (ages 3 – 18), police officer, student, soldier, and senior citizen: 54 NIS

Note: you can also purchase an annual membership.

Note: Opening hours and ticket prices were updated in July 2024. In any case, recheck the official site before visiting. Also, the number of tickets per day is limited. Hence, it is better to book in advance.

You can order tickets online here. But before doing so, check out the coupons section.

Coupons

• Matmon Card – 49 NIS per child and 65 NIS per adult
• HTZone – starting from 39 NIS per child and 49 NIS per adult

Contact Information

Phone: 02-675-0111
Email: info@jerusalemzoo.org.il

Feeding Times and Special Activities

Each time we visit the Jerusalem Zoo, we participate in feedings, training, and other activities. Here is the timetable from July 2024:

Note: All the activities we attended were in Hebrew. Contact the zoo for more information if you are interested in other languages.

At Jerusalem Biblical Zoo

I will give a small taste of several of our visits in this section.

We started our visit with the Penguins. Penguins in Israel? When most people think about Penguins, they think of Antarctica. Though most penguin species are native to the Southern Hemisphere, they are found not only in cold climates. Only a few species of penguins live in the far south. For example, the Galapagos penguin lives near the equator.

Bear Feeding

As I mentioned, one of the activities we attended was bear feeding. It started with a short explanation about the Syrian brown bear, and the guide threw vegetables at them. Thus, the bears were active and searched for where the food landed.

Historically, the Syrian brown bear occurred in the Middle East from Turkey to Turkmenistan. Today, the brown bear is extirpated in Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian Territory, and survives only in Turkey, Iran, and Iraq.

Source: Wikipedia

And after the feast, they started …

Not sure what those parents are telling the toddlers 😉

And when there is no food involved, then there is a high chance that you will find animals in the following state 🙂

But sometimes they get up for a drink, and then I can get this:

Elephant Workout

Later, we went to an elephant workout. I took the following photos before the training. They let each elephant splash some water and play with a tire.

View from the side:

At this point, they started to show their daily routine. As it turns out, elephants in the wild walk 20-30km a day. And they need to walk such distances to be healthy. Each day before the zoo opens for visitors, the elephants walk around its premises with their trainers.

As it turns out, it is hard for elephants to lie down. Not all elephants can do this:

In the end, some more exercise, like walking and moving weights.

Bible Land Wildlife Preserve And African Savannah

Then we reached the Bible Land Wildlife Preserve And African Savannah. A wooden bridge with viewpoints crosses over this area. The bridge is about 1km long, and you walk above the animals.

Our time was nearly up (it was almost my daughter’s nap time), so we headed towards the exit.

This man was hypnotized for several minutes, and I wonder whether they have special powers 😉

That was the end of that visit. But do not worry. In 2017, we returned to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo. As in previous visits, we started with bear feeding. Note how the bears use the backside of their palms as a plate.

Feeding Loriini Parrots

Then we went to visit lory parrots.

And there, we saw something similar to Gan Garoo. You can feed the parrots. But, unlike at Gan Garoo, it was not free. Feeding nectar drink costs several Shekels.

Lion Workout

One reason people return to different attractions is that they change over time. Not only do the attractions change, but as kids grow older, they get to see more. This year, my daughter had more stamina, and we saw more.

One of the other things we saw was the lions’ workout. I’m unsure if exercise is the most suitable word, but it was entertaining for the lions.

The young lioness walked near the glass, but the two other older lions lay in the shade.

So they lowered this kind of rope for the lion to play with.

You can also see a carton box they threw in. A special feromone the lion loves was added to the box. So after the lion finished playing with the rope, it lay on the box and started twisting.

Chimpanzee Feeding

Another event that we visited this time was Chimpanzee Feeding. But they were not cooperative and turned their backs.

Elephant Training – Rerun

As in previous visits, we went to Elephant Training. They still have three elephants there, but only two were training since one is pretty old and has vision problems.

We visited many more animals, but my favorite photo from that day is of this chameleon.

Before I end this post, I want to mention another nearby animal-related attraction, the Israel Aquarium.

Israel Aquarium

The Israel Aquarium is adjacent to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, around 1 km from the zoo’s entrance gate. You can drive or walk along the access road that begins at the end of the zoo’s parking area. Moreover, public transportation reaches only the zoo’s main entrance.

You can find additional information in my guide to the Israel Aquarium.

Note: purchasing a ticket for the Israel Aquarium does not provide entrance to the zoo. Likewise, buying a zoo ticket does not give entry to the Aquarium.

History of the Zoo

The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo was originally established in 1940 as a small children’s zoo on Harav Kook Street in central Jerusalem by the late Prof. Aharon Shulov, one of the pioneers in the field of zoology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In 1941, a somewhat larger zoo was established on Shmuel Hanavi Street in Jerusalem. This one covered an area of 4.5 dunams (0.45 hectares, or just over one acre). In 1947 the zoo was moved to the Hebrew University on Mt. Scopus. As a result of the hardships caused by Israel’s War of Independence in 1948, the zoo was transferred once again to a larger area of 60 dunams (6 hectares, or just under 15 acres) in Givat Komuna, adjacent to the neighborhood of Romema.

The zoo remained there for 41 years, from 1950 to 1991. During this time, it gradually developed into a well-known and beloved attraction. By 1991 it was evident that the zoo’s location could no longer serve the purpose of a modern zoo. It required new facilities to improve animal welfare conditions and establish wildlife conservation and education programs. The old zoo closed in 1991 and moving to the new location begun, which culminated in the current zoo being opened in 1993.

Today, the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, as it is still unofficially known, stretches across an area of 250 dunams (25 hectares or 62 acres) in a lovely valley surrounded by green hills and new neighborhoods. It is considered one of the most beautiful parks in Israel and has become a meeting place for all of Jerusalem’s diverse communities.

Note: unless stated otherwise, all quotes were taken from the official site.

The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens

Jerusalem Biblical Zoo is also known as the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens.

The establishment of the zoo in its present form was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Tisch family of New York, under the auspices of the Jerusalem Foundation. The dedication ceremony took place in the presence of the President of the State of Israel at the time, the late Chaim Herzog.

Mission

Usually, I do not mention organizations` missions, but in this case, it will help you better understand zoological gardens.

We believe that zoos and aquaria have a strong role to play in protecting nature and wildlife, and we are working to achieve the following goals in this regard:

• Ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare to maintain viable populations of animals in human care ensures their survival over the long term.
• Emphasizing species from the land of Israel, with special emphasis on those mentioned in the Bible.
• Establishing and participating in both in situ and ex-situ wildlife conservation projects to protect animal populations and their habitats.
• Educating our visitors about animals and their habitats and providing them with the knowledge and opportunities they need to live sustainably as part of nature.

It is not the complete mission, but it represents the spirit. I want to mention two fundamental values. First, wildlife conservation, especially animals mentioned in the Bible, is a top focus of the zoo – it is even reflected in the name. Second, public education is another top focus. Hence, there are many explanations, feedings, and workouts.

Events and Tours

Jerusalem Biblical Zoo holds a range of events, including temporary exhibitions, special events on holidays, and tours. You can find additional information at the official site.

How Much Time Does a Visit to Jerusalem Biblical Zoo Take?

When children were younger, our typical visit was 3 – 4 hours. Our most recent visit in 2024 lasted 5.5 hours (it included several food breaks), and we visited almost all animals.

Summary

For now, my opinion has not changed. The Special Activities upgraded the visit, which is still one of the best zoos in Israel. It should be on your list of places to visit if you love animals. Also, the Israel Aquarium can be a lovely alternative if you are visiting on a rainy or very hot day.

Have you ever been to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

That’s all for today, and I’ll see you in future travels!

Stay Tuned!

For additional points of interest nearby, check out Jerusalem.

Additional Resources

Here are several resources that I created to help travelers:

• Trip Planner with Attractions and Itineraries is the page that will help you create your perfect travel route.
• What is the Best Time to visit Israel? To answer this question, we will consider the weather, prices, holidays, festivals, and more.
• Information and Tips for Tourists to Israel will answer the most common questions tourists have about Israel (including safety, passports, weather, currency, tipping, electricity, and much more).
• Israel National Parks and Nature Reserves include a complete list, top ten, map, tickets (Israel Pass, Matmon, combo), and campsites.
• If you are looking for things to do, here are the pages for Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Sea Of Galilee, Akko (Acre), Eilat, Nazareth, Safed (Tzfat), and Makhtesh Ramon.