Mohammad Ragai, the head of the Central Administration of Zoos, dismissed on Friday news circulated about the closure of Giza Zoo, saying that no decision was taken in this matter so far.
In a statement, Ragai said Giza Zoo is open daily and will continue receiving visitors, adding that it belongs to the Agriculture Ministry and current measures to renovate it along with Orman Botanical Garden come as part of the State’s vision to upgrade the two gardens in a bid to regain their once-great historical glory.
The Giza Zoo, which was built by Khedive Ismail and opened on 1 March, 1891, is the third oldest in the world and the oldest in Africa.
The zoo was first established as a botanical garden over an area of about 80 acres.