This September, MELC Acting Instructor Dr. Shai Ben Ami, assisted by Grace Elizabeth C. Dy, lead a zoo tour for 33 new and returning students as part of Dawg Days. Dr. Ben Ami drew on his extensive experience from working at the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem, also known as the Biblical Zoo, and past visits to Woodland Park Zoo—where he previously had the opportunity to work behind the scenes with the keepers in 2006.
The visit began with a brief introduction to the history of zoos and their significance, then delved into Woodland Park Zoo's own story. The tour started at the "Living Northwest Trail," where they encountered local wildlife, including brown bears, mountain goats, grey wolves, and Steller's sea eagles. These exhibits served as a springboard for discussing the evolution of zoo exhibits and Woodland Park Zoo's pioneering work in creating immersive environments. Students compared these local species to their Middle Eastern counterparts, such as the Syrian brown bear, Nubian ibex, and white-tailed sea eagle.
Continuing to the Australian yard, the group explored the unique breeding cycles of marsupials and emus. A highlight of the visit was observing the new snow leopard cubs—an important success for a species threatened by extinction. Students also learned about the massive Indian rhinoceros, and listened to a keeper discuss the International Day of Rhinos and the history of the building that previously housed the zoo's elephants. The keeper's training session offered a fascinating glimpse into daily routines and animal welfare practices.
The MELC hopes department to strengthen our partnership with the zoo and incorporate it into the courses taught by Dr. Ben Ami this year, including "Wildlife Conservation in Israel and the Middle East" during the winter quarter and "Global Wild: The Role of Zoos in International Relations" in the spring. Dr. Ben Ami is excited about the potential for these courses to deepen students' understanding of both local and global conservation efforts.