New Persian Leopard at Safari Park Named After NBA Star Deni Avdija

A young Persian leopard has arrived at the Ramat Gan Safari Park in Israel from Sweden and has been named 'Deni' in honor of Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija. The two-year-old leopard was born at Nordens Ark zoo in Sweden and came to Israel following extensive coordination between the zoos. He is now acclimating to his new environment, caretakers, and surroundings.

Plans are in place for Deni to be introduced to Noa, a female Persian leopard already residing at the safari. Noa was named in 2022 after Israeli singer Noa Kirel, partly inspired by her song 'Panthera.' The introduction process will be gradual, starting with scent and presence familiarization before a supervised meeting, ensuring both leopards are ready.

The naming and pairing of Deni and Noa are part of a serious conservation effort. Both leopards are intended to participate in the European breeding and conservation program for the critically endangered Persian leopard subspecies. The goal is for them to breed, contributing to efforts to save a species estimated to have only about a thousand individuals left in the wild. The Ramat Gan Safari participates in international breeding and conservation programs for endangered animals in collaboration with zoos and nature organizations worldwide.

According to Shelly Eldad, director of the safari's carnivore department, Deni emerged from his transport crate shortly after arrival and appeared curious and unusually calm. The safari hopes that once he completes his adaptation period, visitors will be able to see the new resident. Deni Avdija himself expressed that being honored with the leopard's name is a great privilege and that he looks forward to visiting the safari to meet the leopard named after him.