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Many wildlife species have become extinct in recent generations and continue to do so, mainly due to man-made hazards. Decisive action must be taken to minimize the damage caused by processes such as urbanization, decreasing natural habitats, increasing numbers of roads, hunting, poisoning, electrocution, vehicular accidents, etc. in order to halt the extinction of wildlife in Israel and around the world.
Educating the general public and particularly the younger generation contributes to changing the Israeli people's habits and behavior. Active community participation in hospital activities encourages the public to respect wildlife.
The Wildlife Hospital
The Israeli Wildlife Hospital was co-founded by the Zoological Center Tel Aviv- Ramat Gan (Safari) Israel and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. The Israeli Wildlife Hospital has four core objectives: treating, rehabilitating and returning animals to the wild; education; monitoring; and research.
To date, the hospital has cared for more than 10,000 animals, belonging to some 250 species. The Israeli Wildlife Hospital is unique, both in Israel and in the world. Thus, it draws veterinarians, researchers and students from around the world. The hospital provides veterinary care and rehabilitation services for animals in an attempt to help curb extinction. Monitoring helps the Israel Nature and Parks Authority to identify specific causes of harm to wildlife and facilitates efforts to minimize those causes. The public is also encouraged to respect and maintain wildlife through education.
The modern and attractive Israeli Wildlife Hospital facility, which was built with the help of the Israel Environmental Protection Ministry, includes a state-of-the-art treatment room, operating room, imaging room and a modern laboratory. A large auditorium is scheduled for construction adjacent to the hospital, which will allow the public to view how the hospital operates.
Mediterranean Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca)
Many Mediterranean Spur-thighed Tortoises are run over and their habitats destroyed. One of the reasons they are becoming extinct is that people capture them and raise them at home. Many of these tortoises arrive at the hospital for treatment after having been run over or due to having been kept in poor conditions and some also suffer from lawnmower injuries.
Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)
The existing number of these large eagles is decreasing, mainly due to damage to their habitats, poisoning and electrocution. A number of Imperial Eagles are treated at the Israeli Wildlife Hospital each year, most of which are subsequently returned to the wild.
Mountain Gazelle Fawn(Gazella gazella gazella)
Many Mountain Gazelle fawns are brought into the Israeli Wildlife Hospital by hikers who falsely believe them to be abandoned. Some are also run over or bitten by dogs and treatment is complex. Today, thanks to the hospital staff's vast experience, some are able to return to the wild.
Dr. Igal Horowitz
CEO, Israeli Wildlife Hospital
