Due to fears of Avian flu, the Cairo (Jizah really) Zoo was closed for the first time in its history (it was founded in late 19th century). This has special meaning for me. This was the first zoo I ever visited as a child. And I liked it a great deal especially as we were allowed very close interactions with animals in those days. Back then (the good old days), we could feed stew and rice, or any other food of choice, to any animal in the zoo. It was total free range (for me, not for the animals).