Three Decades of Nature, Education, and the Australian Dream: Gan Guru Celebrates 30 Years

Gan Guru, the Australian zoo of the Nir David tourism network in Emek HaMa'ayanot, is marking 30 years since its establishment this year. Since opening to visitors in the summer of 1996, the park has become one of the most well-known tourist sites in Israel and a place where generations of families meet the unique animals of the Australian continent up close. In the last year alone, about 150,000 visitors have visited it.

The story began in the early nineties, when Yehuda Gat, a member of Kibbutz Nir David and the founder of the park, was given the task of developing a tourism project that combines education, nature, and experience. After the idea of establishing a park inspired by Winnie the Pooh was taken off the table, the proposal to bring kangaroos to Israel arose. Gat made contact with zoos and officials in Australia, traveled to learn about animal care, and led the establishment of the park.

"What led us was to create from scratch an educational place that makes nature and wildlife accessible to future generations," says Yehuda Gat.

This vision continues to be at the center of Gan Guru's activity even three decades after its establishment.

The park's educational concept is based on the understanding that a zoo is much more than a place for recreation. It is a space that allows for experiencing, exploring, and learning through direct contact with animals. The guided tours held in the park are intended for annual school trips, organized groups, and visitors, and combine feeding, petting, and observation alongside an introduction to the world of Australian wildlife, habitats, nature conservation, and the importance of protecting animals.

In the last two years, the park's educational and research activity has been expanded. As part of the new program, all schools in the regional council are expected to visit the park as part of the annual curriculum. In addition, Gan Guru collaborates with researchers from Tel-Hai College on research in the fields of ecology and zoology.

The 30-year celebrations summarize three decades of a dream that became a reality, but the park is already looking ahead, to continued development, research, and deepening the connection between children, nature, and animals.