The Professional Team

20 years ago I began working as a veterinarian in the Safari. Since then I have been dreaming about the founding of a "real" wildlife hospital. One that will give adequate treatment to injured wildlife which they so rightfully deserve.

Since I began working in 1990 the Safari has provided medical assistance to many hundreds of injured wildlife, and though for a short period a wildlife hospital was founded in the zoological center of Abu-Kabir, de facto the real thing was never founded in Israel – A hospital that includes: an adequate building, modern medical equipment and a professional team which can give the best medical care to wildlife.

In 2005 thanks to Mr. Eli Amitai, CEO of the Nature and Parks Protection Authority, and Mr. Yehuda Bar, CEO of the Safari, a true and real initiative was taken and a decision to found the Israeli Wildlife Hospital was in place.

Today I am proud to be a partner in the beginning of a dream in realization – a dream of the creation of the first, unique Wildlife Hospital in Israel.

כבר בגיל צעיר התאהבתי בטבע הישראלי: בנופים המגוונים, בבתי הגידול השונים בצמחים הייחודיים ובעיקר בבעלי החיים המופלאים הסובבים אותנו. בכל הזדמנות הייתי (ועדיין) יוצאת לטפס על כל גבעה, לזחול בכל מערה, למצוא כל נביעת מים ולפגוש במינים חדשים של צמחים ובעלי חיים. אך לצערי אני רואה איך טבע זה הולך ונעלם מול עינינו.

בשל כך החלטתי שאני רוצה להיות חלק בשמירה על חיות הבר של ארצנו ושלמשימה זו אקדיש את חיי. בהתבגרותי הדרכתי בחברה להגנת הטבע ועסקתי רבות בחינוך לשמירת טבע. המשכתי בכיוון זה בלימודי, בחרתי ללמוד זואולוגיה ובהמשך וטרינריה ואף עסקתי בשמירת טבע של בית הגידול החולי של מישור החוף במהלך מחקרי בתואר השני.

כיום אני שמחה שנפלה הזכות בחלקי להגשים את חלומי ולעסוק בהצלה של חיות הבר הישראליות, בבית החולים לחיות בר, ואני גאה להיות חלק מהצוות המסור לשיקומם של חיות ארצנו.

טיילתי רבות בעולם, ראיתי נופים מדהימים ובעלי חיים ססגוניים, אך אין דבר יותר מרגש מלראות נשר דואה מעל מצוק ההעתקים, יעל מטפס על צוק בעין עבדת ואפילו צב יבשה מצוי לועס להנאתו עשבים בפארק הירקון ולדעת שהייתי חלק מהמאמץ המשותף בטיפולם והשבתם לטבע.

During my studies at veterinary school I traveled to Africa where I worked with wildlife. Through volunteering it came clear to me, and amplified when I was exposed to the work done at the Israeli wildlife hospital in Israel, that the Israeli nature is fascinating and inspiring not less than the rest of the world. Sometimes it's hard to see what's under your nose. I believe in the right of every animal to live a life of welfare and health. In the world today it is upon us humans, to take the responsibility for that welfare. I want to live in a world where the place of wildlife is secure and is happy to fulfill my job as veterinarian whose main purpose is to tend to wildlife and return them back to nature for a life which they deserve. Wild animals symbol, for me, divine freedom. Wild animals don’t have anything but life itself and I am happy to be part of the effort and helping in their rescue.

I was born in Jerusalem in 1984, and from childhood I was interested in wild animals. Every week I went out to observe animals in nature, especially gazelles that were walking about the edges of my city.

A few years ago I was looking for a place to volunteer and arrived at the veterinary clinic in the safari. There I had the privilege to become a partner in the activities done in order to save wild animals. From there, I worked at the IsraeliWildlifeHospital as Assistant Veterinarian and took part in the founding of the current IsraeliWildlifeHospital. As part of the team in the hospital I feel pride and satisfaction towards my contribution in saving wildlife. This means closure for me, being a part of saving the animals I knew as a boy in nature.

I began working in the Safari in 1982 in the primate department. After one year I had already raised the first orphaned chimp. A few years later I was assigned to the clinic and assisted in veterinary care and management of the clinic. I was exposed initially to the importance of the wildlife hospital when the first injured vulture arrived from nature, needing constant medical care and a place to recuperate. Throughout the years I have cared for many young and orphaned animals. Some of the animals were from the Safari collection and some from the Israeli wildlife. Through the years I have accumulated much experience in raising and caring for mammals and birds and I believe in the importance of the wildlife hospital and the help which I can provide to the wildlife from my experience

Sahar David

Nuel Maor

Yael Levhar

Maayan Meir

Itay Mizrachi

Every day, a group of volunteers help with the day-to-day work in the Hospital. Our volunteers are the foundation of the hospital. Our volunteers are responsible for the maintenance of stalls and cages, preparing and distributing food and for assisting the team in many different ways.