By Rachael Risby Raz | International Relations Manager
Difficult days in Israel, but we are pleased to update that the Persian fallow deer are unharmed by the war.
Even though there has been a number of air raid sirens in the past month in the areas adjacent to the reserve where the deer have been released, we have no knowledge of rockets falling in the area and there is no evidence that any deer have been injured.
The Zoo and the Aquarium was closed to the general public after the October 7 massacres in the south of Israel and the ensuing war.
We did, however, host small, guided groups (according to the Home Front directives) of the evacuees who are being housed in hotels in the Jerusalem area.
We hosted around 1,200 evacuees a day, without payment. We had to bring on additional guiding staff to assist with the groups, both in order to enable a quick evacuation to safe areas in the event of air raid sirens and also because of the sensitivity of the families, who have experienced much trauma and need close accompaniment.
Some 30 members of our staff have been called up to army reserve duty and many staff members are parents of soldiers who are currently serving across the country.
The rest of the staff are rallying together to help keep the facilities running and the animals safe as well as looking out for and supporting each other in these difficult times.
We reopened to the general public on November 15 and has special discounted ticket prices for evacuees.
By Rachael Risby Raz | International Relations Manager
By Rachael Risby Raz | International Relations Manager
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