The National Zoological Garden celebrates 13 years of serving wildlife conservation

This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:

HIBAPRESS-RABAT

The National Zoological Garden of Rabat celebrates in January 2025,
his 13th birthday; an opportunity to return to its role in preserving biodiversity
and environmental education, and to take stock of its mission as a key player in
conservation of Moroccan and African wildlife.

Since its opening in 2012, the zoo has welcomed more than 6 million visitors, with an average
500,000 visitors per year, ranking at the head of the most visited attractions in the Capital and
of the most popular entertainment spaces in the country. Its animal collection made up of more than
2000 animals representing 190 species, including the largest collection of Atlas Lions in the world,
gives it the status of the first wildlife conservation platform on a national scale,
with a bias towards Moroccan endemic species and African species.

Its conservation strategy is based on the constitution of founding nuclei of species
wild animals extinct in the wild or in danger of extinction and the renewal of groups
reproductive animals either through new births or through new acquisitions coming from
from the network of partner zoos and zoological institutions around the world. For example, more
of 220 births were recorded in 2024 among Atlas lions, bald ibises, monkeys
magots, Thompson’s gazelles, addax and bighorn sheep, and more than 50 animals have
been acquired from foreign zoos, such as wild dogs, Saharan antelopes, reptiles and birds
like the houbara bustard

In terms of actions in favor of preserving local biodiversity, various studies have been
carried out on Moroccan species, their natural habitats and African ecosystems in the
framework of scientific research projects and plans aimed at deepening the
knowledge and the exchange of expertise between the community of scientists and researchers on
animal species, particularly the most vulnerable.

With a view to 2025 and the objective of modernizing the visitor experience, the garden
national zoologist has planned the use of digitalization of its platforms through solutions
connected adapted to the contemporary needs of the public. At the same time and in continuity with its
conservation and scientific research strategy, a plan is deployed to diversify the offer of
zoo in terms of enriching its animal collection and improving animal welfare, all
by playing the role of a hub open to different stakeholders in the field of wildlife studies
wild on a regional scale.

Finally and in order to celebrate this anniversary with the public, the Rabat zoo will organize from January 9 to 14
2025, festive events and educational workshops, aimed at promoting education in
the environment and to play its role as a space of discovery and learning for young people
generations.