4 - 10 October 2001
Issue No.554
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 4 - 10 October 2001 Issue No.554 |
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The royal zoo revived
The zoological Gardens were originally part of Khedive Ismail's palace, which extended up to Giza Square and comprised Al- Haramlik Palace as well as the house where King Fouad was born, razed long ago. From 1891 until 1927, the Zoo was headed by foreigners. From then on, writes Reham El-Adawi, Egyptians succeeded them, the most famous of whom was General Abdallah El- Nugoumi, who was its director from 1952 until 1954.
As part of the first comprehensive plan to upgrade the Zoo since it opened its gates to visitors in 1891, Minister of Agriculture Youssef Wali has commissioned Mustafa Awad Mustafa, the general supervisor of the Central Directorate of Zoological Gardens, Aquarium and Wildlife Services, to begin renovating the zoological gardens in Giza.
CROWNING GLORIES: The hanging bridge(left, snapped in 1959), once among the Zoo's main attractions, is now safe to cross once more. Nor have refurbishment plans neglected the long-suffering animals
photos: Sherif Sonbol, Masraf
A crucial part of the plan is a state-of-the-art veterinary lab supervised by the British Born Free Foundation and the American Society Institute, providing medical care for the Zoo's much-neglected inhabitants and including facilities for the early diagnosis of various diseases.
According to Mustafa, the renovation plan is oriented around three main targets: unveiling the architectural and landscaping treasures hidden in the gardens, constructing new entertainment areas and introducing a variety of services and activities.
Characterise d by its collection of rare cactus plants, the Royal Grotto was designed in 1867 and revamped several years ago. The winding paths that lead through it were paved with bright mosaic work similar to the original cladding. Visitors can also explore the Cave of the Chandeliers (Al-Sham'idan) once again. Created in 1869 by a Turkish architect, it has been cleared of the dead plants cluttering it. A Japanese kiosque built by George Lee between 1863 and 1869 is also on view. It was renovated twice: first in 1927, when the Japanese crown prince paid a visit to the Zoo in the company of King Fouad; and a second time this year. The kiosque houses rare pictures of the Zoo's most distinguished visitors -- royal and state dignitaries --as well as snaps of the Zoo in the royal era.
The Grotto of Creativity, built in 1875, was recently provided with 12 studio spaces in which painters may draw while contemplating Tea Island (Geziret Al-Shay). Another historical landmark is a hanging bridge that links two of the Zoo's grottos and was designed by French architect Gustave Eiffel. Years ago, children would play happily on the bridge and no just-married couple would forego a photo there. Although 6 October Bridge has replaced it in many newlyweds' photo albums, everyone will be pleased to hear that the bridge was recently renovated, having been deemed too hazardous to cross. Now Zoo-goers can stand on it once more to view a huge panorama of rare trees and plants.
As far as the entertainment component of the plan is concerned, a model Pharaonic village built around an obelisk features Ancient Egyptian agricultural implements. A children compound inaugurated by Mrs Suzanne Mubarak in 1997 is also sure to please the little ones: it comprises a cinema, a fully computerised library and a playground. Other renovated areas include the baboon grotto, the bear enclosure and yard, the kennels and the elephant park.
Also at Mrs Mubarak's behest, several zoological gardens throughout Egypt are being renovated, and others are being built. "A project for a 50-acre safari park in Toshki is currently under consideration," noted Mustafa.
School, university and technical institute students will be able to visit the Zoo for free, as will those with special needs and senior citizens. An Environmental Awareness Centre will provide information on animal breeding and horticulture.
The Zoo currently houses over 900 species of birds, animals and reptiles. "Eighty per cent of the animals are now in open compounds, which increases reproduction rates. For the first time in the Zoo's history, the American bear gave birth to three cubs," explained Mustafa, illustrating the work's success.
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