Zoo-Botanical Garden Nahariya, Zoo and botanical garden in Nahariya, Israel

Zoo-Botanical Garden Nahariya covers about 16 dunams, with a large lawn at its centre where the garden's birds roam freely. It is divided into a South American yard, an African yard, an Australian yard and a Land of Israel yard, each holding plants and animals typical of its region. The Australian yard has emus and red-necked wallabies, the African yard ostriches, addaxes and leopard tortoises, and a night-animal exhibit includes a Mexican axolotl and a lesser Egyptian jerboa.

The garden opened in 1994 on land bought in 1963 by Erich Deutschkum, a German Christian who had served in the German army during World War II and moved to Israel to build a Third Temple as a symbol of peace. Under the Hebrew name Gideon Günter he pitched a large tent he called the Ohel Moed, planted species that still grow there, and let residents of the adjacent Resko neighbourhood tend small plots. After he moved to Gush Etzion in 1968 and was killed by militants in February 1973, the site became the zoo-botanical garden.

The site began in 1963 when Erich Deutekom, a German who had served in the Wehrmacht and moved to Israel, bought the land and hebraized his name to Gideon Ginter. He pitched a large tent he called the Ohel Moed, planted species that partly survive today, and invited residents of the adjacent Resko neighbourhood to tend small plots, a community garden. He screened films for local children in the tent.

The location sits on David Ben Gurion Street 15 and is reachable on foot, with standard opening hours and rest areas available throughout the grounds. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for paths with varying terrain.

The grounds feature a mix of exotic and regional animal species, connecting local biodiversity with global comparisons. This combination gives visitors insight into different habitats and the creatures that inhabit them.