Since we settled in the Arava Valley, we studied its climatic and vegetative conditions and found that it is suitable for antelope raising. After visits to South African antelope ranches, we imported 140 antelopes from four species: Kudu, Blesbok, Impala and Springbok. They quickly felt at home in the Arava, and soon healthy antelope babies were born. In the meantime, the population has grown to about 200. We also added more animal species of African origin, some of which are on the list of endangered wild animals, and we provided amenities for visitors
The objectives of the Antelope Ranch are :
· To breed and supply antelopes to zoos anywhere and to commercialranches,
· To serve as tourist attraction.
· Today, the Antelope Ranch consists of three components:
1. The Kudu Park
Besides the above mentioned antelope species, we keep also eland, gemsbok, addax, wildebeest, Nubian ibex, barbary sheep, mouflon (Cameroon sheep), pygmy goat, red deer and Sika deer, and the highly endangered African wild ass.
2. "Noah's Ark"
This ship-like building contains small animals, especially those children can cuddle, but also exotic species like meerkats. Visitors can observe moles in a system of transparent burrows. Two enclosures house parrots and butterflies, respectively. In another room, all stages of lobster raising in the Arava Valleyare demonstrated. Also a transparent biological filter to automatically recycle the water is explained.
The Camping Ground
The camping ground provides tourists with all the necessary amenities, like a shaded camping area with a large tent, toilets, showers, a pool with local, brackish water, play and picnic areas and a kiosk.
Taxonomy of the mammals in the Kudu Park
Taxonomy of birds in and outside Noah's Ark
