Tisch Family Zoological Gardens (The Biblical Zoo)

Let’s face it: Jerusalem is and always has been a zoo of biblical proportions. The city’s intangible mystical ambiance appeals to a wealth of bizarre characters of all stripes and colors, inviting an influx of extremely diverse religious – and secular – types, many of whom flock to the holy city from the far reaches of the world. So it’s only natural that what applies to humans of rare plumage should also hold true when it comes to animals. (And no, we don’t mean the city’s stray cat population.)

Enter the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens, which derive their popular name – the Biblical Zoo – from a unique project; the zoo not only preserves endangered species from all over the world but has taken on the mission of conserving the various species mentioned in the Bible. Part of this project is to breed those species that have been driven out of their natural habitats in Israel and slowly reintroduce them into the wild. But the range of fauna of display goes beyond the dictates of Jewish scripture and includes many, many species from far and wide.

In fact, the Biblical Zoo is large enough to keep one on one’s feet for an entire day. Kiddies (and adults that are deterred by the zoo’s somewhat hilly terrain) can benefit from the frequent train rides running through the grounds. There’s also the compulsory petting zoo with goats, chickens and whatnot, and a sculpture garden filled with more exotic creatures that probably feel right at home in Jerusalem.