Three Decades of Nature, Education, and an Australian Dream: Gan Guru Celebrates 30 Years

Gan Guru, the Australian zoo of the Nir David tourism network in the Valley of Springs, celebrates 30 years since its establishment. Opened in the summer of 1996, it has become a well-known tourist site, with about 150,000 visitors in the past year. Founder Yehuda Gat, a member of Kibbutz Nir David, led its establishment after the idea of a Winnie-the-Pooh-inspired garden was dropped. Educational and research activities have been expanded, including cooperation with Tel Hai College.

Gan Guru, the Australian zoo of the Nir David tourism network in the Valley of Springs, marks 30 years since its establishment this year. The zoo opened to visitors in the summer of 1996, and since then has become one of Israel's well-known tourist sites, with about 150,000 visitors in the past year. The story began in the early 1990s, when Yehuda Gat, a member of Kibbutz Nir David and founder of the zoo, was tasked with developing a tourism project combining education, nature, and experience. After the idea of a Winnie-the-Pooh-inspired garden was dropped, the proposal to bring a kangaroo to Israel arose. Gat contacted zoos and entities in Australia, traveled to learn about animal care, and led the establishment of the zoo. The zoo's educational philosophy sees it as a space for experience, exploration, and learning through direct encounter with animals. The guided tours are intended for school trips, organized groups, and visitors. In the past two years, educational and research activities have been expanded, and all schools in the regional council are expected to visit the zoo. The zoo cooperates with researchers from Tel Hai College in research in the fields of ecology and zoology.