The National Consortium for the Redevelopment of Giza and Orman Gardens has issued a statement defending its animal care practices. This comes amid public outcry after widespread social media posts and leaked reports suggesting that lions and tigers were killed and incinerated during the zoo’s ongoing renovation.
The controversy was first fueled by animal rights-focused social media, which claimed that up to 16 lions and six tigers were killed and their carcasses burned. Al Manassa’s new investigative report, “Inside Giza Zoo: Skinned hides, incinerated carcasses, and unanswered questions,” further explores these allegations, noting that other animals reportedly died from the construction work and heavy machinery at the site.
The public outcry triggered an investigation by the public prosecutor. It also led to the replacement of the head of the Central Administration for Zoos, Gamal Abdelwahid, with Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Metwally.
In a statement, the consortium asserted it is “fully committed to applying the highest international standards in veterinary care” to ensure the health and safety of animals in line with global protocols.
According to the consortium’s statement, some of the deceased animals arrived “in various states of health,” with technical reports documenting some as having incurable infectious diseases. The consortium claims these animals were euthanized “in accordance with globally recognized humane euthanasia protocols” to protect other animals, staff, and visitors.
The consortium further stated that all procedures were supervised by specialized experts and adhered to international standards. It also referenced a letter from the African Association of Zoos, which it says approved the first phase of the redevelopment, and congratulated the agriculture minister on progress.
However, the Al Manassa investigation suggests not all of the animals that were burned were sick. Prominent animal welfare advocate Dina Zulfikar cited sources inside the zoo who claimed that the incinerator “has been continuously burning the remains of animals” that died or were euthanized amid demolition and excavation.
Zulfikar told Al Manassa that “from the moment renovations began, the incinerator has been operating non-stop for lions, tigers, and other animals.” She directly links these deaths to the redevelopment, stating that the zoo’s animal population is now significantly smaller.
Zulfikar also recounted the story of a former zoo management expert who resigned from one of the consortium companies in March 2024. He told her he personally witnessed a chimpanzee die of cardiac arrest after bulldozers entered its enclosure.
Zulfikar also posted on Facebook the comments of Omar Tamam, a professor of natural reserves and expert on carnivorous mammals, who echoed her concern. “It’s not scientifically valid to test healthy, vaccinated animals,” he said. “Those tests will show positive. Tests should only be run on animals actively undergoing treatment. This is something every Egyptian vet knows.”
The consortium responsible for redeveloping Giza and Orman Gardens includes three Egyptian firms led by the National Authority for Military Production, along with Abnaa Sinai Construction and Hadayieq. The latter is chaired by Mohamed Kamel, the former CEO of Estadat Holding, a subsidiary of the United Media Services Company that manages state-owned sports facilities.
Two foreign companies were also brought in for the initial phase of the 25-year usufruct agreement, under which the zoo’s operations will be managed: Bernard Harrison and Friends and Worldwide Zoo.
In Aug. 2021, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi directed the Ministry of Agriculture to upgrade the state-owned parks and gardens under its authority in Greater Cairo, including Giza Zoo and Orman Botanical Garden. The goal, as stated, was to modernize these assets through partnerships with experienced international firms and to bring them in line with global standards.
Then in November 2021, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reviewed the initial vision for the zoo’s transformation into a “regional model.”
El-Sisi pointed to Giza Zoo as a symbol of the country’s deteriorating infrastructure in October 2022. “If you want to see what Egypt looks like, go visit the zoo. Look at the decay, the broken buildings, the dysfunction,” he said.”
In March 2023, then-Minister of Military Production Mohamed Salah Eddin Mostafa held a meeting with representatives of the consortium to present the initial redevelopment plan.
Meanwhile, MP Ehab Mansour, head of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party’s parliamentary bloc, submitted an official question to the government about how the estimated 5,000 animals in the zoo were being handled.
Speaking to Al Manassa, Mansour said, “We haven’t received a response yet,” adding that more parliamentary questions may be raised if officials do not provide answers.
