BOG 2025: A New Era for TAU’s Research Zoo

“Welcome to our secret zoo,” is how Prof. Ariel Porat, Tel Aviv University (TAU) President, greeted guests at the inauguration ceremony of the Weisfeld Family Charitable Foundation Animal Habitat Initiative. “Most people in Tel Aviv, and even here at the University, have no idea that such a magical place exists right here on campus.”

Surrounded by free-roaming deer, pink flamingos and other wildlife on a lush green expanse, attendees gathered at the center of the I. Meier Segals Zoological Research Garden to mark a new era for a unique scientific facility. 

The Animal Habitat Initiative was launched by Canadian donors Stephanie and Gilad Abrahami, whose gift was inspired by the support of Gilad’s stepfather, Louis Weisfeld, a founding donor to the zoo in the early 1970s, along with other Canadian donors. The initiative will transform the zoo into a modern facility that reflects current animal welfare standards, replacing old cages with five large, open-air habitats that will allow visitors to walk through on marked paths and observe the animals in a more authentic environment. 
 

Guests toast Stephanie and Gilad Abrahami. (Photo: Yuval Yosef)

Prof. Gal Ribak, Academic Head of the research zoo, remarked at the ceremony that the Abrahami’s generosity “will provide crucial resources that will ensure we enhance the welfare of the animals and reopen this community treasure to the public.”

The research zoo was opened in the 1970s and has since become the largest research facility of its kind in Israel, and one of only a handful of university zoos worldwide. 

Indeed, some of the 210 species living there cannot be found in any other research facility in the world. Recognizing this, hundreds of scientists from around the world visit the zoo annually, rendering it a vibrant international research hub. Researchers pursue fascinating and novel directions, not only in traditional fields such as ecology and conservation, but also in more surprising areas such as robotics, psychology, agriculture, communication and even national security.

“The zoo is a one-of-a-kind facility in Israel, dedicated to blending cutting-edge zoological research with science outreach and conservation activities,” said Prof. Ribak. “The Abrahamis are a family of animal lovers, and we are grateful for this wonderful gift that will help us fulfill our mission at this critical time when animal species are disappearing, both here in Israel and globally, at an alarming rate.”

“Gilad and Stephanie’s donation will boost animal welfare dramatically, allow the zoo to reopen its gates to schoolchildren and families, and secure its standing as the jewel in the crown of Israeli animal research, education, conservation and outreach,” enthused Prof. Porat. 
 

From left: Stephanie Abrahami, Board of Governors Chairwoman Dafna Meitar Nechmad, President Prof. Ariel Porat, Gilad Abrahami. (Photo: Yuval Yosef)

The Abrahamis have been involved with TAU since 2023, but in that short time they have become an integral part of the TAU community, supporting a range of projects including the Trailblazers program providing scholarships for Haredi students, the Yahalom Program for students with autism, particle physics research, and the Iron Swords Emergency Fund.

Gilad Abrahami credited his wife and her special “Dr. Dolittle relationship with animals” for their decision to support the zoo so generously. “What she’s taught me is that we have a lot to learn from the animals, and they have a lot to teach us. Animals hold so many secrets, we don’t know even a tenth of it,” he said. “No other university has anything like this zoo. This is important – it’s a mission that humans have, a covenant with God, to take care of the animals.”

Abrahami concluded by saying that he and his wife feel their gift is a fitting tribute to Gabi and Lou [his mother and stepfather], as well as to the University, and “it is a symbol of our commitment to Eretz Israel, to chinuch (education), and a symbol of my love to you, Stephanie.”