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The word "safari" originates from the Swahili language spoken in Africa and means "journey". A visit to the Safari is a fascinating journey following the tracks of the African savannah animals, here in Ramat Gan. The animals in the Safari move freely in large herds, and like the tourists in Africa, you too will be the guests of nature and observe the characteristic behavior of each animal. The Safari has the largest collection of animals in the Middle East, with an estimated 1,200 animals from 126 different species. Inside the zoo you can find African and Asian elephants, giraffes as well as animals in serious danger of extinction, such as orangutans, gorillas, tigers and more. The Safari is dedicated to the issues of education and nature conservation, and it leads one of the largest projects in the world for the care and rehabilitation of wild animals. The Wildlife Hospital is the result of a fruitful collaboration between the Safari and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Every year, more than 6,000 wild animals that have been injured in nature come to the hospital, and after treatment and rehabilitation, most of them are returned to nature. The Safari is a member of the World and European Association of Zoos and participates in the breeding programs of the European Association for Endangered Animals. It also takes part in Israeli projects, such as the program to breed eagles and return them to nature. The southern wide-lipped rhinoceros (white rhinoceros) was chosen as the symbol of the Safari due to the Safari's great contribution to the breeding program of the European Association of Zoos. The first rhino born in the Safari was named 'Shalom'. He was born in 1979, close to Egyptian President Sadat's visit to Israel, and was named in tribute to the moving peace agreement with Egypt. Shortly before birth, the mother rhino hinted to her brother, who was already two or three years old, that it was time to start an independent life. The young rhinos take time to adjust to a new life. When young brothers Letshi, Kifenzi and Tupac were born on Safari, they looked for a new 'mother figure' and were welcomed by Carnivala - a mature rhinoceros whose children have grown up. For many months, they walked by her side together across the African savannah, thus gaining a 'soft landing' to begin their adult lives. Over the years, 33 rhinos were born in the Safari, and they are an important contribution to the preservation of the species that is in danger of extinction due to illegal hunting in Africa. All the Philatelic items which have been Issue September 2024
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