European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 31, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                It s All happening at the zoo Cairo zoo is third largest in the world these elegant animals look at Home on the rocks. A amps photos by Ken George getting Down and dirty is the easiest Way to get a Back rub As this Zebra can attest by Craig Martin staff writer even a fat cat like Garfield could find a Home in Cairo a at the zoo that is. There s even a place for Odie and tweety Bird too. In addition to Quot traditional Quot animals one would expect to see in a zoo the Cairo zoo has cats in cages. Not just the lion and Tiger variety but the Domestic variety. There Are dogs pigeons and parakeets in cages too. In egyptian culture cats symbolize the abiding Protection and favor of Isis the Mother goddess and beast the Moon goddess who herself was cat headed. The dog serves As a guide to the Hawk headed solar god to keep the Sun on its right path. The human headed Bird represents the Power of the soul to leave the body at will. Cairo boasts having the third largest zoo in the world and the largest in Africa but the problem is the animal population ranges from 400 to 6,000, according to whom you re talking to. Located downtown on some 83 acres the zoo gets 6 million visitors annually according to Mohammed Habashy general director of the zoo. Although most sources say the zoo has 400 animals Habashy says that number is closer to 6,000, including the Birds. It opened in 1891. Although it once boasted the world s largest collection of african animals it is now Little More than a Public Park with its enclosures for the animals. It costs about $3.50 per person to enter the zoo at current Exchange rates. The caretakers Are very helpful. By tipping 1 egyptian Pound about 33 cent caretakers will allow you to feed the animals. It s a Cool walk through the Park. There Are local food stands and restaurants. A word of caution eating local dishes May be hazardous to your gastrointestinal health. If you re not used to the local dishes it s Best to stay with the major hotels to eat. There also is a pizza hut and pfc formerly Kentucky Fried Chicken on the East Side outside of the zoo. The zoo was originally Laid out with a network of paths of coloured pebbles but now the paths Are Brick or Blacktop. The zoo has Pony and elephant rides for children. Each costs about $3.50. There also Are paddle boats available for rent to use on a Small Lake also for $3.50 each. 4 w i 1 Al. A a a Sim in melt rim Quot _ this pensive looking Cougar ponders the world from inside the zoo. A Young visitor helps feed an elephant at the zoo. This big cat in t pussyfoot in around. Of the cats considers them Friendly Saad Madbouly is the cat s meow or in this Case maybe the cat s growl. Madbouly has been the Quot keeper of the cats Quot at the Cairo zoo in a manner of speaking. He has been watching Over i i Lions tigers cougars panthers leopards and Mountain Lions for 45 of his 55 years. Quot i consider them like friends Quot he s Quick to Point out. And judging from How the cats respond to him they must consider him a Friend too. The thin balding Madbouly says he does t have a favorite cat. But he s been with Khaled a 19-year-old Bengal Tiger since he was a cub. Pay Madbouly a tip of 1 egyptian Pound about 33 cent Sand hell get 350-Pound Khaled to stand on his Hind legs and growl for you. Hand him another Pound and Quot one More time Quot he says to Khaled. Madbouly proudly shows off 5-Day-old Tiger cubs like a father would show off his son. He has them hidden in a Cage in a Back room so Quot they won t be disturbed and can get some sleep Quot he Saia. Quot they Don t do Well if they Don t get  a Craig Martin Saad Madbouly 14 stripes Magazine december 31, 1992  december 31, 1992 stripes Magazine 15