Egypt negates selling Giza Zoo, Al Orman Park to foreign company

CAIRO - 8 January 2023: The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation negated Sunday rumors about plans to sell the Giza Zoo and Orman Park to a foreign company noting that they would be developed by the National Authority for Military Production.

The ministry showcased in its statement three points that make such development a must. First, the negligence of the zoo incurred the death of many animals and the inability to substitute them. Second, the absence of the infrastructure necessary to mimic the natural habitat of animals. Third, the political leadership's directives to maximize the return on assets.

The ministry noted that the goal is reinstating the membership of the Giza Zoo in the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It added that the cost of the zoo's development is LE1 billion and that would be provided by the authority and other government bodies.

The ministry stressed that it would remain the owner of the Giza Zoo and Al Orman Park, but that they would be leased to the authority which will hire an international consortium to develop them.  

The statement underscored that the surface area of the landscape would not be diminished, and that the rare species of trees and plants would be preserved. It added that the percentage of built-up area would not exceed nine percent, and that historic buildings of the zoo, such as the Eiffel Bridge, Royal Hall, Tea Island, Animal Museum, and Monkeys Gabalaya, would remain untouched.