According to the Jerusalem Municipality, the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo will soon benefit of the largest aquarium from all over Israel. If everything goes well, this unique aquarium will open in 2015 and will feature species from the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
The aquarium is funded by the famous New York philanthropists, David and Ruth Gottesman, who are renowned for their $25 million gift for the Yeshiva University in New York.
According to the officials, the aquarium will be built on a huge 6,000-square-meter campus, which is placed right next to the Biblical Zoo's buildings and facilities. The main attraction of the aquarium will be a modern underwater tunnel which will be under surveillance 24/7. Here, the visitors will be able to see the amazing underwater life, and will get a 180 degree view of coral reefs, sharks, sea turtles, exotic fish and other unique species that can be found in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
In addition to this main attraction, there will also be 30 smaller tanks where visitors will be able to observe the marine life in various habitats.
The famous Jerusalem Biblical Zoo dates from 1940, when it was established by Prof. Aharon Shulov in the Harav Kook Street, located in the center of Jerusalem. Because of the independence war of Israel, the zoo was moved several times between 1947 and 1950. Eventually, the zoo was moved to the Givat Komuna area in 1950, and remained here until 1991, when it was closed.
The zoo was reopened in 1993 and it's located in the Manahat neighborhood, south-west of Jerusalem. Today, the zoo stretches across a lovely 25 hectares area which is surrounded by modern houses and green hills.
Inside the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, visitors discover a small lake fed by a few waterfalls and pools. Around the lake there are many shady spots and spacious lawns that enhance the atmosphere and transform the place into a beautiful museum of nature.