Dubai is about to open a 1 billion Dhs safari park with more than 10,500 animals this year to replace the much-derided Jumeirah Zoo, and all 1,000 animals will be moved to the new park. The Safari Park is located in the Al Warqa district of Dubai – near Dragon Mart and it is said that it is much of a natural reserve and it is set to be a major tourist attraction.
The first of the animals arrived on March 14 and came from a “sister zoo” in Seoul Grand Park in Korea. The team at Dubai Safari say they have a good relationship with this park and that they will have many interactions with them. Dubai Municipality posted a series of videos on social media showing the delivery of numerous creatures. The shipment included nine lions, four bears, nine monkeys and 10 bats.
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Five lions, as well as primates, birds, a crocodile, snakes, gorillas and lions will be relocated from the old Jumeirah Zoo to their new home at the Safari Park, including the so-called ‘Lioness of Al Barsha,’ who was found roaming the streets of Dubai earlier this year.
The zoo will host 350 species of animals, some rare and endangered, ensuring that they are ethically and responsibly cared for, and will cover over 119 hectares. The park will be divided into three main villages – African, Arabic, Safari – each with unique features, designs, animals and plants. There will also be a butterfly park, a botanical garden, educational and veterinary facilities, and a kids area where little ones can interact with and feed farm animals, in addition to restaurants and a food court. There will initially be 1,600 parking spaces over two designated areas, while further down the line, the municipality intends to expand it to 3,600 parking spaces over 9.4 hectares.
“The Village Safari area is almost complete, which will house the animals. The recreational areas providing umbrellas for visitors, and the cages for animals, have already been set up. We are now putting the finishing touches to the main building, as well as to the landscaping that will feature rocks, water and greenery,” said Director General of Dubai Municipality Hussain Nasser Lootah.
“This whole project once completed will indeed put Dubai on the map for those who will expect only the best from a zoo or safari park. The knowledge and ethical care for the animals will soon have Dubai Safari recognised as a world leader,” he added.
Safari Park has been designed to be environmentally-friendly and will use solar energy “and a hybrid operational system will be used to run the irrigation network, which will also include water recycling, waste disposal and other recycling facilities,” said Lootah.
WE SAID THIS: Experts from all over the world have been employed by the park, with responsibility for the acclimatization and general well-being of the new arrivals.
