http://www.gulfnews.com/images/2003/01/hi/27_dzoo.jpg

Dubai Municipality will build a new Dh 610 million zoo on 560 hectares of land behind Mushrif Park. Construction is estimated to start in end 2003 and should be completed by 2007. The project will include a Core or Open Zoo, which will consist of six major habitats. The zoo will also include a Wildlife Safari Park, a Bedouin Tented Camp, Night Safaris, Biodiversity Museum, Captive Breeding and Conservation Centre, Birds of Prey Show and the Veterinary Centre

The civic body has plans to plant over 40,000 trees at the new zoological facility which will feature a Safari Park.

The designs for the new zoo have been finalised. The multi-million dirham project will be developed in a phased manner by the civic body which has been managing the zoo since 1971, almost four years after it was established as a private enterprise by an Austrian engineer, Otto J. Bulart.

The municipality has freed several animals in the wild in the forest reserve being created around Mushrif Park, the emirate's largest park with over 500 acres of lawns and trees.

Sources said the zoo will be located on a site measuring over six million square metres. The redeveloped zoo will be distinguished by its vast space, unique location and variety of recreational and entertaining facilities in addition to allowing animals to live in areas designed to be as similar to their natural environment as possible

The design of the zoo will be modern and state-of-the -art, rivalling the best around the world such as the Singapore zoo and the San Diego zoo in the U.S.

The zoo will be one of the world's most attractive zoological gardens and will compliment the other touristic attractions dotting the city skyline.

http://www.gulf-news.com/images/2003/07/hi/01_zoo.jpg

dubai_dude i read an article in khaleej times long ago about them building this zoo. It was said that they will have themed places like a valley and stuff ie the wildlife and vegetation at the foot of hills and mountains. What happened to that????!!!??. I loved those ideas!!!! :bash:

To tell you the truth , i couldnt careless if the zoo will miss a few hill or mountains :) i mean you`ve seen how bad the old zoo is , this will be like heaven for the animals .... Cool project btw :cheers:

yes i have seen the old zoo. It was pathetic and the animals were cramped!!! Its gonna be a big relief for them allright!!:D

Ofcoarse they will have wild animals free there
and free animals need mountains, valley, forest etc
they will have six habitat zones which is special about this zoo
Sub-Saharan Africa, Arabian Desert, a Wadi (desert valley), Arabian Coastal Desert, Asian Temperate Forest, and Himalayan Hillside.
they already freed some animals there, so that they can form their own habitat
it will be something like going to an african jungle/safari for some part of it
i wonder if i would be able to take my own car into the zoo safari.

and about the old zoo, what zoo? i was soo tiny that you could be done seeing all the animals in 10 minutes. i heard about the al ain zoo, some animals ran out of there, and formed their habitat on a big mountain. pretty cool to hear that, but how did it survived in the jungle

Ofcoarse they will have wild animals free there
and free animals need mountains, valley, forest etc
they will have six habitat zones which is special about this zoo
Sub-Saharan Africa, Arabian Desert, a Wadi (desert valley), Arabian Coastal Desert, Asian Temperate Forest, and Himalayan Hillside.
they already freed some animals there, so that they can form their own habitat
it will be something like going to an african jungle/safari for some part of it
i wonder if i would be able to take my own car into the zoo safari.

and about the old zoo, what zoo? i was soo tiny that you could be done seeing all the animals in 10 minutes. i heard about the al ain zoo, some animals ran out of there, and formed their habitat on a big mountain. pretty cool to hear that, but how did it survived in the jungle

Yes yes yes yes!!!!! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!! That was what i was talking about!!!!! The asian temperate forest and the himalayan hillside!!!!! Wow can u imagine that!!!!!! The himalayan hillside in a desert country!!!!!!! Some vet science students are going to dubai this dec to have their work experience there!!!! The last few who went got to stay for a week at the Burj Al Arab. With the zoo i guess more of them will go and conservation will be big!!!!!!
:drunk: :rock: :banana: :banana2: :cucumber:

See the old one
every one knows how bad and hard it is on the animals
this could not happen soon enough and should have been done a long time ago !

impressive

See the old one
every one knows how bad and hard it is on the animals
this could not happen soon enough and should have been done a long time ago !

I agree with him, infact they are too late to transfer, they should have done this years before. As soon as you entered the old one, you knew it was over crowded both by people and animals. i am wonderings as to why dubai government planned the new zoo so late, afterall this is one major part of the tourism industry. if its the best in the region as it claims, it should attract numbers of tourists.

The new zoo will be in a newly developed area, near the mushriff park which is quite far away from city center. Would people even go so far to visit it?

Darkknight, are they comming specially on this project or something else. I did'nt know students from other country started comming in dubai, are they somming on a specific project? or just visiting? stayed at burj al arab for a week, i wonder how much their bills have been? did'nt they go bankcrupt

I agree with him, infact they are too late to transfer, they should have done this years before. As soon as you entered the old one, you knew it was over crowded both by people and animals. i am wonderings as to why dubai government planned the new zoo so late, afterall this is one major part of the tourism industry. if its the best in the region as it claims, it should attract numbers of tourists.

The new zoo will be in a newly developed area, near the mushriff park which is quite far away from city center. Would people even go so far to visit it?

Darkknight, are they comming specially on this project or something else. I did'nt know students from other country started comming in dubai, are they somming on a specific project? or just visiting? stayed at burj al arab for a week, i wonder how much their bills have been? did'nt they go bankcrupt

No, not just visiting. The vet science studenst are required to do 4 weeks of work experience. The students can go where ever they want in the world to do that. Many go to peru, USA, doi it in Oz itself, india and there are some who are taken by some one who manages the Sheikhs Stables here in melbourne to dubai. They work for 2 weeks at the stables and then work at the Avian research center which houses the falcon hospital. As something complementary they were given a weeks stay at the Burj. More melb uni students are planning to go there and i know many of them are interested even more becos i showed them the plans for the zoo. Melb uni is the best in the world for vet science and they sure are interested in UAE!!!!

i guess you're doing a great job in teaching people about uae over there.
Burj al arab must be a huge attraction, only for now!
where are you going? i think i dont even need to ask that

i am thinking since kangaroos also live in a desert type environment in australia, would'nt it be a good idea to bring some from australia and release them in desert here. it would be nice to look at different type of animals in the desert

The plans for this zoo have been talked about for a long time, but they were delayed several times.

I recall about 7 years ago, my uncle recruited me and other kids to help them switch between the old Windowd and WIndows 95 in all the computers in Dubai Municipality. I saw a lot of things in their offices after work-time, including plans for the new Dubai zoo. I also accidentally deleted a file containing plans fo a new palace for Sultan Qaboos of Oman :D

wow...bullgirl has sources
so you were also spying on the plans, while swithing computers:sly:
any thing special about the plan in there? What else did you see in there?
they have been a little lazy for the zoo planing, as this should have been done much earlier.
But there's a reward for waiting a while, A World Class Zoo!

since your uncle works in the municipality, he might know something special about the projects going on or the planned project that you can ask him about.
then we can get the inside news of the stories! :dooby:

Did sultan Qaboos :bash: you? atleast thanks god you did'nt delete plans for SZR or Emirates Tower! or else....:laugh:

Why don't they bring back Jurrasic Park, they seem to have the money!!

Why don't they bring back Jurrasic Park, they seem to have the money!!

They have a whole dinosaur and jurassic world ( A whole park just with life like and life size dinosaurs) coming up in Dubailand!!!! Wont be long buddy!!!! :cheers:

i guess you're doing a great job in teaching people about uae over there.
Burj al arab must be a huge attraction, only for now!
where are you going? i think i dont even need to ask that

i am thinking since kangaroos also live in a desert type environment in australia, would'nt it be a good idea to bring some from australia and release them in desert here. it would be nice to look at different type of animals in the desert

Hehe that would be a great idea!!!!! But aussies are verymuch into conservation!!!! And they have very strict rules on taking animals outside Oz. I guess they will havesomething like that since it is a massive zoo!!!!

nice, as usual we expect good stuff from the city planners in dubai. will miss the old zoo @ beach road, somehow it would be missed if its torn down. its been there, still is, since i was born....

nice, as usual we expect good stuff from the city planners in dubai. will miss the old zoo @ beach road, somehow it would be missed if its torn down. its been there, still is, since i was born....

would never miss that old zoo!!!! Im sure the animals wont too!!!!! That was one hell of a nightmare for them!!!!! I wonder how they lived there all this while!!!

At the time it was built, it was outside the city!
look at it now, it in the city now
amazing dubai, building soo fast
well, memories will still stay with the zoo
i hope they make a park in the old zoo, so that memories stay with it.
let the good bird free there and people will come there and feed the birds. basically make it into a mini natural zone with different kind of bird and small animals, offcoarse not the dangerous ones. But then there's safa park for that reason!

Ive never been to Safa park!!! My friends have been there!!! How isit??

letme post some pics of it!
http://mishopi.image.pbase.com/u38/bmcmorrow/upload/25185245.dsf001.JPG

http://mishoga.image.pbase.com/u38/bmcmorrow/upload/25185246.dsf010.JPG

http://mk23.image.pbase.com/u38/bmcmorrow/upload/25185247.dsf012.JPG

http://mk29.image.pbase.com/u38/bmcmorrow/upload/25185248.dsf016.JPG

Dubai dude, the pics dont show!!!!!:(

Any More News on the Zoo ?

Any More News on the Zoo ?

Yes, ANY news on this project?

No, otherwise this thread would have been updated.

No, otherwise this thread would have been updated.

Out of curiousity, are most people in Dubai as friendly as you?

Out of curiousity, are most people in Dubai as friendly as you?

Oh no doubt, but they don't have to respond to rather pointless questions

Play nice Toronto! Juiced is right, the thread would have been updated had there been any new info on the project........we arent deliberatlely keeping you in the dark or anything, you know? Go Juiced!!!!:cheers:

LOL no news put heaps of new posts
me going back to sleep

My town is so small that they had to close the zoo because the chicken died.

My town is so small that they had to close the zoo because the chicken died.

Aren't you in Atlanta?? Thought it was much bigger there :laugh:

Lol

Aren't you in Atlanta?? Thought it was much bigger there :laugh:

I am from Atlanta, but I like that joke and you guys were talking about zoos.

the zoo here is really only fit for a chicken run

No NEWS aboutt he zoo apart from the out cry that is needed. Stuff here may shock oyu

Zoo struggles to house animals

http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/Nation2.asp?ArticleID=139743

Dubai: Cages in Dubai Zoo are being expanded vertically because of the lack of space for the growing number of animals.

A plan to build a larger zoo has been on the drawing board since 1989, but no decisions have been made as to where or when it will be built.

Dr Reza Khan, head of the zoo, has also raised concerns about the mistreatment of animals by visitors to the zoo.

The zoo has grown considerably since it opened in the heart of the desert in May 1967. Then, it only had a few animals, it now has 897 housed in a tight five-acre area, slightly larger than three football pitches.

The number of animals is increasing on a monthly basis as a result of gifts from the public and the government. These donations account for about 80 per cent of the animals in the zoo.

"Many people who go on holiday or leave the country for good and have wild animals as pets give them to the zoo," Dr Khan said.

"Crocodiles, monitor lizards, iguanas, monkeys, even chimpanzees, cheetahs, tigers and lions have all been donated.

"A few nights ago, I received a call from a gentleman who wanted to give me a viper snake that he had caught in the mountains. I had to accept it because it was poisonous.

"If I had turned him away, he might have left the viper in a public place and it could have been a hazard. We took the viper in and are trying to feed it so it can regain its strength and then we will release it back into the wild," Dr Khan said.

In the 15 years Dr Khan has worked at Dubai Zoo, he has only actually bought three animals with funds from the municipality.

A lot of animals are also donated by authorities in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi who have confiscated them from private owners.

"They bring the animals to our zoo because they have nowhere to keep them. I have to take them in otherwise they would not be fed or looked after properly and their health may suffer," Dr Khan said.

With the inadequate space he has to work with, Dr Khan and the zoo keepers have had to make drastic changes to cages in the zoo, including expanding them vertically, building cages within cages and building facilities that resemble the animals' natural habitat. Animals that coexist in the wild are put together in the same cages.

"All the modifications you see in the zoo have been made without any outside help. We receive a Dh60,000 maintenance budget that enables zoo keepers and our welders, carpenters and masons to work together to maintain the zoo."

Animal specialists in Dubai have voiced their concern over the breeding of animals in the zoo because of the limited space.

"The only reason we breed animals is to release them in the wild later on so as to increase their population in the UAE. We separate males from females to avoid unplanned breeding since space is our greatest constraint," Dr Khan said.

It has been reported that a new zoo will be built by 2007.

"Until a new zoo opens, the only immediate solution I can think of is to shift some of the animals to a safe, temporary location until a more suitable solution can be made," Dr Khan said.

Many zoos in the West, Europe and certain parts of Asia have adopted a system where their cages have no iron bars and appear to be barrier-free.

"Concrete cages with iron bars are not being used any more in modern, well-funded zoos. I initially tried the barrier-free system here.

"You would be shocked at what we found in the cages after the first day they were filled with Pepsi cans and rubbish and many people were trying to feed the animals from their own food."

Thousands of people visit Dubai Zoo daily.

Dr Khan has had to build a double fence around most of the cages to stop the animals from being abused.

"I built the fences 14-feet high in the gorilla cage and yet still people were able to throw their rubbish over the fence. Some people were even trying to feed the animals their cigarette butts. That is why you will always see double fencing. There seems to be no way of getting people to respect the animals," Dr Khan said.

He said education is the only solution to this problem.

"We should teach topics, such as animal welfare, in all levels of our schools. A lot of people major in commerce and business, but there should be more general courses to develop a person's humanity.

"People should appreciate the UAE's wildlife. We should be able to switch on the television and see wildlife programmes featuring the wide variety of UAE plants and animals.

"We should discuss what we have lost, what we have found and what we can do to preserve what is left only then will people respect our animals," Dr Khan said.

"It has been reported that a new zoo will be built by 2007." Temp zoo sounds like a good idea. Rotate the aminals they all dont need to in front of the public !

"You would be shocked at what we found in the cages after the first day they were filled with Pepsi cans and rubbish and many people were trying to feed the animals from their own food. I built the fences 14-feet high in the gorilla cage and yet still people were able to throw their rubbish over the fence. Some people were even trying to feed the animals their cigarette butts. That is why you will always see double fencing. There seems to be no way of getting people to respect the animals,"

Hmm this sounds bad. But then not that unexpected. Teaching respect seems to a very hard. given the state of the zoo i dont think any thing is possible but to feel sorry for these animals. Maybe in few zoo they might comand some respect from the People ?

and i seriously thought this one was already under construction :sly:

seems that it is not and still a very long wait

I saw plans for the new Dubai Zoo, which is/was supposed to be located next to Mushrif Park, and is more than four times the size of Mushrif, about eight years ago in Dubai Municipality HQ.

My uncle who works there was also talking about it, then a year after that, when I asked how the new zoo is getting along, he said they cancelled it. So I guess they brought back the idea later when they planned Dubailand.

I don't know why they've delayed it for so long.

Simply if this project had a some skyscrapers, it would have been approved and fed properly :mad2:

Plans for new zoo put on hold

Dubai : Animals at Dubai Zoo will continue to suffer in cramped conditions as plans to build a new zoo remain on hold.
The municipality's project to build a bigger zoo in Mushrif is not moving ahead because authorities put it on hold for reasons unknown, sources said. The new Dh610 million zoo is set to cover 560 hectares.

"Certainly, there is a plan to relocate the current zoo to bigger premises, but we don't know when it is going to happen," sources said.

Officials at Dubai Zoo are also reluctant to speak about plans for the new zoo.

According to municipality figures, Dubai Zoo experienced a 21 per cent rise in the number of visitors this year.

The zoo had 366,023 visitors last year the highest number since it opened in 1967. It used to have around 140,000 visitors a year.

About 160 species are housed in the 20,000-square metre site. The zoo now has more than 1,200 animals compared with 1990 when it had about 600 animals.

The number of animals is increasing every month. On average, one animal occupies a space of less than nine square metres.

Such animals as giraffes, gorillas, lions, cheetahs, tigers, deer, crocodiles and hippopotamuses are all housed in the same amount of space.

Most of the animals at the zoo have been donated by individuals or were confiscated at port of entries to the UAE (they were part of the illegal animal trade).

At one time, the zoo's collection went up to 1,800 animals and it had to donate animals to other zoos because of a lack of space.

Dr Martin Wyness from the British Veterinary Centre said everybody who visited Dubai Zoo knew it was not an ideal place to keep animals.

"Current standards of zoos are extremely high and Dubai Zoo does not meet these standards at all. This zoo has an outdated design that is no longer appropriate to keep animals in square cages are no longer used in zoos," he said.

Still, he commended Dr Reza Khan, head of Dubai Zoo, and the staff, for taking good care of the animals with the available resources, which are inadequate.

"We have been hearing about plans for the new zoo, but nothing has happened so far. The decision has to happen quickly because the animals are cramped in square cages and are stressed.

"Wild animals need bigger spaces and a natural habitat to develop their physical and mental activities to show off their natural talent," he said.

Visitors to the zoo said they were concerned about the poor living conditions of the animals.

"I never expected to see a tiger in such a small cage and a hippo lying in a pond almost equal to the size of a bath," said Ahmad Ali, a Grade 10 student.

"Not a single animal, bird or reptile is kept in its natural habitat. It shows how ignorant we are about protecting the natural world."

Katherine, from the United Kingdom, who visited the zoo with two children, said the animals appeared stressed and tired.

"I was shocked to see some animals sharing the same cage and there is hardly any space to move. If the authorities cannot move them to a bigger place, then they should either set them free in their natural habitats or donate the animals to better zoos," she said.

Abdul Rahim, a UAE national, said it seemed the zoo was struggling to cope with the needs of its growing population of animals.

"It is too small a place to accommodate such a large number of animals. The zoo has become a popular tourist spot.

"Not only has the number of animals increased but the number of visitors has also increased over the past few years. Even the visitors feel cramped in the zoo now.

"We have been hearing for some time about the new zoo, but we are still waiting for it to come about. Authorities should move quickly to move the zoo to a bigger and better facility so the image of Dubai is maintained," he said.

Dubai Zoo is the oldest zoo in the Arabian Peninsula. It was opened in 1967 in Jumeirah by an Australian working in Dubai. It was taken over by the municipality in 1972.

In 1984, the old zoo was replaced by a new one. It was renovated and redesigned in 1986.

Since then, zoo management has made changes to the cages and the structure of the zoo to accommodate the increasing number of animals.

did they put it on hold because it might be replaced by the zoo in Dubai land?

still dont matter it cant be hard to build even a tempone

didn't know dubailand will have a zoo
not so sure about this

i also don't understand why they stopped the project

They've been promising a new zoo for years now, from what I've heard

More call for new zoo but no real news
Maybe once the animals start dying or some one steps and shuts it down things will being


Call for new zoo intensifies as number of visitors grows

By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter
Dubai: Demand for a new zoo has escalated as Dubai Zoo has recorded phenomenal growth in the number of visitors.

The zoo received more than 400,000 visitors last year, the highest since it was opened 13 years ago, according to Dr Reza Khan, head of the Zoo Section at Dubai Municipality. This is nearly 40,000 more visitors than the previous year.

The zoo has witnessed a 53 per cent increase in the number of visitors over the past 13 years. It received slightly more than 260,000 visitors in 1992.

Not only is the number of visitors to the zoo increasing, but the number of animals living in its cramped cages has also risen.

Dubai Municipality has long had plans to build a new zoo that would providing sufficient space and facilities.

One plan mooted recently was for a larger zoo covering 560 hectares built in the Mushrif area at a cost of Dh610 million. However, this remains on hold.

"There is a plan to relocate the current zoo to a bigger place, but we don't know when it is going to materialise," sources at the municipality said.

About 160 species are housed in the zoo, and the total number of animals exceeds 1,200. They are increasing every month and are sharing a total of about 20,000 square metres including offices and a visitor centre. The space is also constrained by walkways and seating areas. The animals have an average space less than three metres wide.

Rehana Saud, who visited the zoo along with three of her children, said it was difficult to move on narrow walkways and hard to see animals as so many people were standing next to the cages.

"For children, it is even more difficult to watch animals," she said, adding that she believes the zoo should be relocated. Another visitor, Shabbir Malek, agreed. "Look at the crowds here. There is hardly any place to move," he said.

Dr Reza Khan said the zoo's major attractions last year were the birth of a giraffe, baby monkeys and several hoofed mammals.

He said the zoo last year witnessed the birth of a female giraffe, taking the total number of giraffes at the zoo to four. That was the third time a female giraffe had been born in the zoo.

The first one, Laila, born in April 2000, is still attracting visitors, but the second one, Razia, died just a few days after birth in June 2002.

http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/NationNF.asp?ArticleID=147456

this is a sad state of affairs I think. A new should have been built ages ago but it seems to be delayed all the time, shouldn't animals be treated better than this?

http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/NationNF.asp?ArticleID=147456

Demand for a new zoo has escalated as Dubai Zoo has recorded phenomenal growth in the number of visitors.

The zoo received more than 400,000 visitors last year, the highest since it was opened 13 years ago, according to Dr Reza Khan, head of the Zoo Section at Dubai Municipality. This is nearly 40,000 more visitors than the previous year.

The zoo has witnessed a 53 per cent increase in the number of visitors over the past 13 years. It received slightly more than 260,000 visitors in 1992.

Not only is the number of visitors to the zoo increasing, but the number of animals living in its cramped cages has also risen.

Dubai Municipality has long had plans to build a new zoo that would providing sufficient space and facilities.

One plan mooted recently was for a larger zoo covering 560 hectares built in the Mushrif area at a cost of Dh610 million. However, this remains on hold.

"There is a plan to relocate the current zoo to a bigger place, but we don't know when it is going to materialise," sources at the municipality said.

About 160 species are housed in the zoo, and the total number of animals exceeds 1,200. They are increasing every month and are sharing a total of about 20,000 square metres including offices and a visitor centre. The space is also constrained by walkways and seating areas. The animals have an average space less than three metres wide.

Rehana Saud, who visited the zoo along with three of her children, said it was difficult to move on narrow walkways and hard to see animals as so many people were standing next to the cages.

"For children, it is even more difficult to watch animals," she said, adding that she believes the zoo should be relocated. Another visitor, Shabbir Malek, agreed. "Look at the crowds here. There is hardly any place to move," he said.

Dr Reza Khan said the zoo's major attractions last year were the birth of a giraffe, baby monkeys and several hoofed mammals.

He said the zoo last year witnessed the birth of a female giraffe, taking the total number of giraffes at the zoo to four. That was the third time a female giraffe had been born in the zoo.

The first one, Laila, born in April 2000, is still attracting visitors, but the second one, Razia, died just a few days after birth in June 2002.

For the first time in 5 years, I visited Dubai Zoo back in early December.

I WANT NEWS on this one.
... dubai needs a really impressive zoo...

is it in dubai land ?

long time coming still

work will start in 3 months.

The cost is around AED 1 billion

long time...
but 1B that's a lot isn't it? for a zoo?

a great zoo?

We should try importing Kangarooos...Maybe they'd survive and populate the area...Don't u think they could survive!? Is there any reason why they wouldn't if they have in the australian deserts and vast empty expanses...

Dubai Municipality has announced the start of its plans to build a new Zoo near Mushrif Park at a cost of Dhs 200 million.

The first phase of the project will involve a zoo with the area of around 50 hectors. It will also include car parking at an area of around 15.5 hectors, and it is expected to be completed by January 2008.

Qassim Sultan, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said that the existing Zoo in Jumeira will shift to the new location which will be designed as open zoos like Safari.

Apart from the zoo, the new project will also include a botanical garden. A group of specialists in designing zoos will undertake the zoo?s designing.

?The new Dubai Zoo has the potential to become a landmark attraction for national and international visitors. It will serve a major tourism and visitor education function for all of the UAE. This will be enhanced and supported by present trends towards eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation,? said Sultan.

Dubai Zoo attracts annually large number of visitors. In 2004 the number of visitors reached around 779,000 visitors. So far, 590,000 people have visited the zoo in 2005.

The project has been divided into two phases so as to accomplish it at a quick pace. The first phase involves basic mobilization works while the second phase will include construction activities for the zoo and the botanical garden.

The zoo?s administration block will have a total area of 8,7 hectors, while the delivery area for small animals is 12,4 hectors, delivery area for big animals 7,2 hectors, Safari park 108 hectors, night zoo, camels area 60 hectors, falcon area 50 hectors, science section and the museum 17 hectors, with 150 hectors for future provisions.

Established in 1967, Dubai Zoo is currently located in Jumeira and it includes 268 mammals, 532 birds, 359 reptile and 50 fishes.

I don't like zoo's. Let animals be free. And if you have to, put them in national parks, but not zoo's. Go animalfree circuses!

Dubai Municipality has announced the start of its plans to build a new Zoo near Mushrif Park at a cost of Dhs 200 million.

The first phase of the project will involve a zoo with the area of around 50 hectors. It will also include car parking at an area of around 15.5 hectors, and it is expected to be completed by January 2008.

Qassim Sultan, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said that the existing Zoo in Jumeira will shift to the new location which will be designed as open zoos like Safari.

Apart from the zoo, the new project will also include a botanical garden. A group of specialists in designing zoos will undertake the zoo?s designing.

?The new Dubai Zoo has the potential to become a landmark attraction for national and international visitors. It will serve a major tourism and visitor education function for all of the UAE. This will be enhanced and supported by present trends towards eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation,? said Sultan.

Dubai Zoo attracts annually large number of visitors. In 2004 the number of visitors reached around 779,000 visitors. So far, 590,000 people have visited the zoo in 2005.

The project has been divided into two phases so as to accomplish it at a quick pace. The first phase involves basic mobilization works while the second phase will include construction activities for the zoo and the botanical garden.

The zoo?s administration block will have a total area of 8,7 hectors, while the delivery area for small animals is 12,4 hectors, delivery area for big animals 7,2 hectors, Safari park 108 hectors, night zoo, camels area 60 hectors, falcon area 50 hectors, science section and the museum 17 hectors, with 150 hectors for future provisions.

Established in 1967, Dubai Zoo is currently located in Jumeira and it includes 268 mammals, 532 birds, 359 reptile and 50 fishes.


I know you are only passing on the message, but the number of times that this project has been put off is apalling....

I will be convinced of its future existence once the first brick has actually been laid on the site. :D

If it does go ahead and it certainly looks like it, Dubai can then be proud of having a World class zoo. :D

a zoo is a nice thing, zoos around the world have been effective in raising awareness about and reproducing animals in danger ... as well as giving money to land and animal preservation groups, dubai's place in this arena will be very helpful no doubt.

nice
where is this article from and how old is it?

the other guy said that it cost 1 billion.

How did it turn to 200 million here.

nice
where is this article from and how old is it?

Article was released 14th Nov 05 by WAM Emirates News Agency - 14 Nov 05 (WAM)


Also this article on same day by AMEInfo

Dubai Municipality is to build a new zoo at a cost of $54.5m near Mushrif Park. The zoo is designed to be an open safari-type enclosure, with the first phase being built over an area of 5.38m sqft. Dubai Municipality Director General Qassim Sultan says the existing zoo in Jumeirah will move to the new location.

any new pics/?

will it have Kangaroos, koalas, emus, platapuses, dingo's, echidnas, wombats, kockatoos, Kookaburas and Wallabies?

^ She was back, even that just for a while :rofl:

I see she learned how to behave :D

_Samantha_ if you want to see those I suggest you check in your own back yard. I understand most of those mammals are very common in the streets of Sydney. I know I see them each day.

Also I think Dubai zoo is saving it space for real animals, not ones that primary achievement is being primary confided to single land mass or used a pizza toping around overpriced restaurants in Darling Harbour.

also the k' in kockatoos is silent and i believe it spelt cockatoos or perhaps it just me thinking of some thing else you know freudian slip

:rofl:

Also I think Dubai zoo is saving it space for real animals, not ones that primary achievement is being primary confided to single land massed or used a pizza toping around overpriced restaurants in Darling Harbour.


:bash: :lol: :eat:

lol ..

click to see http://www.albayan.ae/servlet/Satellite?cid=1135159687753&pagename=Albayan%2FArticle%2FFullDetail&c=Article

so it finally will go ahead
please a few details

where will it be located finally? what does the article say?
still the same spot as in major projects pdf?

^ yes near mushraf park as it has always been there.

that's too far out imo
it won't really be a tourist attraction

should be in dubailand.

DubaiLand is way too far too, the difference is the the zoo is more west.

I think there is another zoo proposed in DubaiLand.

Published: 05/17/2006 12:00 AM (UAE)

No respite for 1,200 animals

By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter


Dubai: Days of cramped living are not yet over for more than 1,200 animals at Dubai Zoo.

These animals will continue to suffer for some more years as plans for a new zoo are in jeopardy.

The ambitious plan to shift the zoo to a new location in Mushref has been abandoned and Dubai Municipality is once again negotiating for another location for the new zoo.

This is the third time in the last five years that the plan for the zoo was changed. The municipality had first announced to build a zoo in Mushref Park in 2003 but the plan was shelved.

In November 2005, the civic body announced to build the Dh200-million zoo at a new location in Mushref. The zoo was supposed to be complete by 2008.

The final design was scheduled to be announced in May but the location has changed again.

"The zoo will be moved to a new location and we will announce details soon," said Hussain Nasser Lootah, Acting Director of Dubai Municipality. However, he did not give details.

Sources in Dubai Municipality told Gulf News the private sector is being involved in building a "huge" zoo in Dubai.

"This is being done to enhance facilities for visitors and to improve the condition of animals," the sources said.

Visitors have long been demanding a bigger place as animals are living in cramped conditions at Dubai Zoo. There has been phenomenal growth in the number of zoo visitors over the last few years.

In 2004, some 779,000 people visited the zoo while around 800,000 people visited the zoo during the first eight months of 2005.

The project has been divided into two phases so as to accomplish it at quickly. The first phase involves basic mobilisation work while the second phase will include construction activities for the zoo and the botanical garden.

Dubai Zoo is the oldest zoo in the Arabian Peninsula. A Dubai resident first established it in 1967 in Jumeirah.

The municipality took it over in 1972 and started to manage the zoo. In 1984, the old zoo was replaced by a new one.

In 1986 it was renovated and redesigned to create its current appearance.

Fact file: The number of inmates increasing every month

* About 160 species are housed in the zoo while the total number of animals exceeds 1,200.
* They are increasing every month and they are sharing a total area of around 20,000 square metre, including offices and visitors' centre.
* The space also includes walkways and sitting areas.

this is one of the things dubai really needs, a proper zoo. why not building it somewhere in dubailand :bash:
that would really make sense.

where is the point? :bash:

but looking at it, 'private sector involved' sounds like we will get a big one in dubailand anyway.

Makes sense to move the animals as part of a new "Animal Kingdom" style park in DubaiLand. However, the tourists will wonder why the animals look so disturbed from their past lives of misery.

Or perhaps they will end up on a Zoo Island in The World Islands.

Another idea - put them all inside JLT instead of having a lake there. :jk:

there was some talk about the palm logo island being natural parks or kinda zoos and i am sure i have seen one or more videos of a zoo island on the world.

also, there is a safari park with zoo which has not yet been officially launched, so maybe this is going to be the new zoo then.

Some one tell them to create Dubai Animal City

^ good idea

how bout getting Disney to build an Animal Kingdom (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkLanding?id=AKLandingPage) park in Dubailand

that way we get:

- a Disney park
- a good zoo

- another cool project in Dubailand

- edutainment


its a win-win situation :)

Plans to relocate Dubai Zoo to take two years

http://www.gulfnews.com/images/06/07/10/11_ae_zoo_bear_4.jpg
A resident bear at Dubai Zoo cools himself down with blocks of ice specially provided as a precaution against the heat.

Dubai: Some of the animals pace up and down, panting and pawing at the ground.

The bears look weary, but relieved when the large blocks of ice are thrown into their cage.

One lays its paw on top of the cube, clearly pleased with the respite from the heat.

It is the height of summer again at Dubai Zoo, which has been housed on the same premises since the late 1960's.

But, according to Dubai Municipality officials, the animals will have to spend at least two more summers there, before the planned move to Dubailand.

"We decided to relocate the zoo to Dubailand, where there has been approximately 80 hectares allocated," said Dr Abdul Hadi Pasha, Head of the Design Unit, at Dubai Municipality's General Projects Department.

"The area that we have at the moment is very small, but the new location will provide a much better environment and habitat for the animals."

Pasha said that this latest attempt to move the zoo was expected to be completed by the end of 2008, with Dubai Municipality in the process of appointing a consultant to oversee the project.

This could not come soon enough for Dubai Zoo, home to over 800 animals, living in an area of only five acres, or 1.7 hectares.

"Although the animals seem to be coping alright this year, we had one pygmy hippopotamus die last year, from what we think was the heat," said Dr Reza Khan, Head of Dubai Zoo.

The zoo, which has between 300,000 to 400,000 visitors annually, has faced criticism over the way in which the animals are kept.

However, Khan says that he and his over thirty members of staff are "more than ready" to move to provide better conditions for the animals.

"We have many local breeds including the Arabian Wolf, the Arabian Wildcat and the Caracal. These animals are generally fine during the summer months, but the ones that suffer the most are the bears, gorillas, chimpanzees and most reptiles.

Khan said that the zoo uses approximately 30,000 gallons of water every day to keep the animals as cool as possible.

"We have such a diverse group of animals, that it is difficult to follow a particular method. We are doing the best we can with what we have," Khan told Gulf News.

"Of course it would be much better if we had a larger premises," he added.

Controversy
Current plan is the fourth in five years

In 1986, the zoo was redesigned, and has remained largely unchanged since.

In recent years, the zoo has courted controversy for the way in which the animals are kept, resulting in a series of moves to change the location.

The current plan to move to Dubailand is the fourth in the last five years.

i really hope to stick to Dubailand now and move their asses finally.

i mean, it takes sooo long.

But any new zoo in Dubai should have cooling as required in every animal enclosure. Can you imagine wearing a big fur coat in 50 degree heat with only a small ice cube every now and then to cool you down. The municipality should be made to do the same. (with fake fur of course)

http://www.true-dubai.com/homepage-dubai-zoo/bear-zoo-dubai.jpg

http://www.true-dubai.com/homepage-dubai-zoo/giraffe-zoo-dubai.jpg

http://www.true-dubai.com/homepage-dubai-zoo/luxus-lion-dubai-zoo.jpg

http://www.true-dubai.com/homepage-dubai-zoo/baby-monkey-zoo-dubai.jpg

http://www.true-dubai.com/homepage-dubai-zoo/overtaxed-wolf-dubai-zoo.jpg

very clean...

they'd better hurry up woth the zoo!

I think the whole point of the new zoo is to make it bigger and of better standard and better looked after animals as they know tourist won't want to see hurt animals and bad enclosures.

New zoo to have camel safari

http://www.gulfnews.com/images/07/01/30/31_ae_zoo_map_4.gif
The new Dubai Zoo will be located in Dubailand and construction will start this year, says an official.

Dubai: The mystery over the construction and location of a new zoo in Dubai has been resolved.

"Dubai Municipality will build a new zoo in Dubailand and the construction will start this year," said Engineer Eisa Al Maidour, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for General Projects Affairs.

He told Gulf News yesterday that the new Dubai Zoo would be built in cooperation with Dubailand. "We are planning, designing and constructing the zoo on the land provided by Dubailand. It is a joint venture," he added.

Animals from the existing Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah will be moved to the new zoo.

Al Maidour said the zoo will be constructed in phases because it is a huge project that is aimed at attracting not only residents but also visitors from around the world because it will be a major tourist attraction in Dubai.

"During the first phase, we will build the core zoo and shift animals from the existing zoo and it will hopefully be done within one and a half years," he said. Around 1,200 animals are currently cramped in the existing zoo in Jumeirah.

The new zoo, which is being built on 500 acres of land, will also have zoo safari, night zoo, and educational and recreational facilities for children and adults.

The delay in the project happened due to a change of location. "We had plans to build a zoo at Mushrif Park but it was moved to Dubailand because it is a much better location and has easy access from all sides," he said.

"Also, we don't want to build just another typical zoo. We want to be creative and build something different matching Dubai's image. We are in touch with different zoo authorities in the world and will bring best practices to Dubai Zoo," he said.

http://www.gulfnews.com/images/07/01/30/31_ae_zoo_maidour_4.jpg
"We are in touch with different Zoo authorities in the world and will bring best practices to Dubai Zoo," says Engineer Eisa Al Maidour.

Al Maidour said there is a possibility of introducing a camel safari in the Dubai Zoo.

This is the third time during the past five years that the plan for the zoo has been changed. The municipality had first announced building a zoo in Al Mushrif Park in 2003 but the plan was shelved.

Again, the civic body announced building the Dh200 million zoo at a new location in November 2005 in Mushrif area and was supposed to complete the zoo by 2008. There has been a phenomenal growth in the number of zoo visitors over the last few years.

That is good news. I have never visited the old zoo because of my principles against torturing of any of Gods creatures. It will be good to see some of the torturing stop at last. Lets hope this will be a good zoo and also an innovative one.

Very cool, some of the best news in the past days.

Sounds great!

good news ;):llama:

there was some talk about the palm logo island being natural parks or kinda zoos and i am sure i have seen one or more videos of a zoo island on the world.

replying to quiet an old post, but according to the Jan edition of National Geographic, two islands are being built for "Sh. Mohammed and his brother". From what the article seems to suggest, these appear to be the logo islands - more so given the fact that his Jumeirah palace is next to the entrance to the Palm!

cant waite to see it

Relief for zoo animals by year-end
By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter
Published: July 30, 2007, 00:01

http://i16.tinypic.com/4lq4w06.jpg

http://i10.tinypic.com/4ucwl6o.jpg

Arabian Hajar Watch.
http://i16.tinypic.com/5xr6zra.jpg

African Safari Village.
http://i11.tinypic.com/6gm0v36.jpg

Entry Complex.
http://i16.tinypic.com/4qyns6o.jpg
Dubai: This will be the last summer that animals in Dubai Zoo will spend in cramped conditions.

"Construction of a huge new zoo will start in August," said Rashad Bukhash, Director of the General Projects Department at Dubai Municipality.

He said all the animals at the existing Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah will be moved by the end of this year to the new and much bigger zoo being built in DubaiLand. "We have to speed up plans for the construction of the new zoo and the core zoo will be built within three months after construction starts in August," he said.

The civic body is building the zoo in cooperation with DubaiLand on an area of 350 hectares.

Bukash told Gulf News the zoo would be built in stages and will be fully complete in one-and-a-half years by early 2009.

Private investors are also being invited to invest in various projects such as restaurants in the zoo. "We are implementing the best practices in the world," he said.

"We are also building chalets for visitors to stay in the zoo overnight," Bukash said.

Apart from the zoo, the new project will also include a botanical garden.


R

wow.

Let this be the last redesign and that they just build the thing

so the zoo will be next to Arjan?

Excellent that it is in DubaiLand, similar to Animal Kingdom in Orlando.

Disney's Animal Kingdom is a 500-acre (200-hectare) adventure park .

This one is 350 hectares !

Excellent !

does anybody know who are the designer for the zoo

350 hectares! wow

yeah, i like the design features, too (very Disney/San Diego Zoo) :D

Animal Kingdom is pants. More Ice cream stands and souvenir shops than proper animal stuff. Top Gorilla show, the rest is a waste of money, Dubai can do much better.

I was in Animal Kingdom last week, in case you were wondering.

But it has rides also which makes it fun for everyone. Don't think this one does ? Maybe the safari will be a jeep ride?

awesome news...

finally.. i am sure it will happen now. and great the animals will already move this year..

see now I dont know if this is true because it appeared in that express newspaper...but I didnt see it in any other news paper:

Published: August 23, 2007, 08:21
Dubai Zoo Loses New Land

By Mohammed N. Al Khan, Staff Reporter

http://www.xpress4me.com/articles/07/08/22/20002739.html


Just when animal lovers breathed a collective sigh of relief with the long-awaited announcement of the relocation of Dubai Zoo, the project has hit yet another snag. The zoo has lost the land allocated to them in the Dubailand project.

"In late June or early July we were told that the zoo will no longer be part of Dubailand," says Dr Abdul Hadi Siddiq Pasha, Head of the Architectural Unit of the Project Design Section at Dubai Municipality’s General Projects Department.

"Sadly that means that all the planning and studying that went into the final design will have to be scrapped and redone," says Pasha.

Moved more times than a Bedouin’s tent, the project is rumoured to have been hanging in limbo for almost two decades. "This project has been pending for as long as I can remember," says Pasha.

"First it was supposed to be Mushrif Park, then it was to be the extension of Mushrif Park, finally we were given a plot in Dubailand and we all thought this was it."

Pasha went on to say that they had already begun setting up a scaffolding fence, which was to be a giant intricately designed billboard, when they were told to relocate.

"At the moment details on this project are very vague," says engineer Abdullah Ahmad Al Najjar, Head of Projects Construction Section.

"Anything can change any day now, it could even be done away with altogether."

Though he wouldn’t specify, Al Najjar did say that they were currently looking at a possible location, "The new location we are contemplating is ecologically better and can be more animal-friendly than the previous location [in Dubailand]."

Earlier, Rashad Bukhash, Director of the General Projects Department at Dubai Municipality had announced: "Construction of a huge new zoo will start in August."

At the time he said all the animals at the existing Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah would be moved by the end of this year to the new and much bigger zoo being built in Dubailand.

"We have to speed up plans for the construction of the new zoo and the core zoo will be built within three months after construction starts in August," he had said.

The Dubailand location was reported to have been 350 hectares. The zoo was planned to be built in stages and fully completed by early 2009.

*Should Dubai have a zoo? Vote in our poll.

Big Collection

Set up in the mid-1960s by Otto J. Bullard, an Austrian engineer working in Dubai, Dubai Zoo boasts of a few unique traits.

It’s the oldest of its kind on the Arabian Peninsula, the first Arabian zoo to breed the chimpanzee and the Arabian wild cat and has an impressive collection of endangered species, including Bengal and Siberian Tigers, Arabian Wolves and Scimitar-horned Oryx.

Though it has been the subject of much vitriol on the internet with numerous online petitions asking for something to be done about the conditions, the current zoo conditions are the best they can be with such limited resources.

Between 1998 and 1999 it reached its worst point – the zoo had about 1,800 animals and was struggling for space for them all.

The current size of the zoo is five acres, of which about three acres are for the animals and the rest for logistics and offices. The zoo currently houses approximately 230 animal species.

R

Zoo move on hold again as safari park plan axed



Dubai: Animals cramped in Dubai's small zoo will continue to suffer as construction of a new bigger zoo has once again been delayed, Gulf News has learnt.

Although a Dubai Municipality official said in July construction of the new Dubai Zoo would start in August, the ambitious plan to have the biggest zoo in the region, which included a safari and night zoo, never took off as the project has been thrown out of Dubailand - the last planned venue for the zoo.

It is the fourth time in the last six years the zoo project has been postponed and this time it was done even after the project design had been finalised. When asked to comment, the municipality official declined to speak, saying the matter was with the higher authorities.

Abandoned

The municipality first announced they would build a new zoo in Mushrif Park in 2003 but the plan was shelved. Again, the civic body announced the Dh200 million zoo would be built at a new location in November 2005 as an extension of Mushrif Park but it was again scrapped. The last zoo project was announced in Dubailand but again it has been abandoned.

The zoo project is now in jeopardy and no one at the municipality has an answer to this. An official, however, told Gulf News that the project would be announced again only after finding a new location. But he said he was not sure when this would be done.

Visitors to the zoo have long been demanding a bigger place as animals are living in cramped conditions at Dubai Zoo on Jumeirah Road. There has been a phenomenal growth in the number of zoo visitors over the last few years.

In 2004, some 779,000 people visited the zoo while around 800,000 people visited the zoo during the first eight months of 2005. The municipality did not release figures for last year.

This makes me mad ! :gaah:

Dubai needs a proper internatianally legal mega zoo (focussing on genetic breeding and conservation of animals) more than anything else that DubaiLand has to offer.

Why they would throw this out of DubaiLand beats me! Animal Kingdom in Orlando is one of the top most attractions in Florida with the highest revenues. In does not make sense. Meanwhile the animals suffering goes on. Allah must help these poor animals and inject some sense both commercial and emotional into the higher authorities.

This must be made top priority !

that's awesome, Dubai is getting a new zoo.
I hope it's going to be just as nice as the San diego zoo or even better.
It must be very hot for those animals....

Dubai Zoo will move to a new home soon



Officials have quashed reports that Dubai’s ageing zoo will no longer be given a new home in the emirate’s vast Dubailand.

The new zoo’s future was thrown into doubt following reports earlier this month that it would remain at its longstanding home in Jumeirah Beach Road.

But now a senior official at Dubai Municipality has confirmed the new zoo will be part of the under-construction leisure and retail project.

And once complete, it will be the biggest zoo in the region, and will include a night zoo, a safari park, plus a number of educational and recreational venues.

Construction work, which was scheduled to begin in August has been delayed, but details of the new zoo’s precise location will be announced in the coming weeks.

The municipality official told Emirates Today: “There are a few more decisions that have to be taken before any further announcement can be made. We will get a clear picture within the next two to three months.” Rashad Bukhash, Director of the General Projects Department at the municipality, confirmed the new project was still on the cards.

He said: “There will definitely be a new zoo and it will be part of the Dubailand.

However there are a few decisions that have yet to be made.” More than 1,200 animals are currently housed in the present zoo in Jumeirah, that was built in 1967.

The number of animals at the zoo has grown significantly since it first opened to the public. Currently, more than 400,000 people visit the zoo every year.

Animal experts have often complained about the present zoo’s lack of space and have been calling for a new, improved zoo. The first plan to build a new zoo was made in 1998, but this failed to materialise.

In 2003 it was announced that a new zoo would be built in Mushrif Park. According to reports at the time, the planned facility was to be housed on a 560-hectare site.

The zoo, it was said, would consist of six major habitats such as sub-Saharan Africa, an Arabian Desert, a Wadi valley, an Arabian coastal desert, an Asian temperate forest and even a Himalayan hillside. But nothing was built.

With the delay in the present project, some animallovers are concerned it is going to affect the animals.

“The present zoo is in a very bad situation,” said Major Ali of Emirates Marine Environment Group.

“The quicker they change to the new location, the better. The place is only designed to house less than 500 animals. Today there is almost twice that number.”

Seams like the Zoo issues changes like the direction of the WIND one day it's happening a few days later it is not.

I think it would be a good attraction especially if done well and the animals have good natural enclosures.

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/General/10233271.html
By Maysam Ali, Staff Reporter
Published: August 01, 2008, 00:05

http://www.gulfnews.com/images/08/07/31/01_ae_dubai_zoo9_5.jpg

Dubai: There is a cacophony of sounds - of fluttering wings, fan blades and the squeaking of birds.

Such noises prevent the lions from dozing off, as they are very light sleepers, says an animal keeper at Dubai Zoo. He throws the lion a rectangular block of ice, but it does not budge.

Step into the Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah and a hot, humid wave will receive you at the gate. Fortunately for the visitors, they can leave anytime they wish. As for the animals, this is their home.

Animals at the zoo are lethargic and panting heavily. They appear more eager than usual to bathe in the small ponds of water which the zookeepers have created for them.

Flamingos and other birds have found their sanctuary in the water ponds. The Nile crocodile refuses to get out of the water. Animals that can swim have dived deep into the pond. A wire fence separates the crocodile from the other species. Next to the crocodile are vultures, eagles and a little further, turtles.

The cranes usually live in wetlands and riverbanks. For now, they have to make do with the cage - and its dryness.

Parrots have lined up before a single fan; its strong wind almost throwing them off the branch, but they are clutching it tightly.

A short distance away gorillas and chimpanzees hide inside concrete rooms. They venture out for a minute, spray themselves with water and retreat to their rooms. Occasionally, a chimpanzee comes out for entertainment, but finally opts for the comforts of the shade.

Like every summer in the UAE, this has not been an easy one for the animals.

The zookeeper's clothes are drenched in sweat as he passes near the cages and calls the chimps by their names.

"It's 45 degrees Celsius," he says with a smile when I comment about the hot weather.

The wild cats at the zoo have retired to their lairs. A huge pot of water is kept outside, but they are too tired to savour it. The Bengal tiger lounges in a small house - under a small window where a fan is fixed. On the list of endangered species, the tiger is unable to move.

The African lion is taking a nap through the hot afternoon.

Inadequate facilities

Puddles of water on the floor indicate that it had dipped itself in the water before settling down. The water is cooling him down, but not enough.

The monkeys are not is their usual state of playfulness. Today, they rest. Some appear unusually irritated.

Perhaps the most comfortable animals are those whose normal habitat is the desert such as the Barbary sheep and the Arabian gazelle, but they too make slow movement. Even they are not used to the level of humidity and high temperature.

The bear made its way from Russia to Dubai. It is comfortably lying in an air-conditioned room, trying to hibernate through a hot desert summer.

With June and July over, the animals still have to survive another two months of oppressive conditions.

Despite the promises that the zoo will be moved to a bigger space soon, none of the plans has yet materialised. Over 1,100 animals reside in the Dubai Zoo.

"The zoo is doing the beset it can, but they have limitations because of the facilities. The Dubai Zoo is an inadequate facility by modern standards. They really need the new parameters and should be in proper, bigger facilities," said Martin Wyness, veterinary surgeon and owner of the British Veterinary Centre in Abu Dhabi.

The zoo is almost abandoned at this time of the day. The children who came visiting are restless; they want to see the animals but they can't stay for long. With sweaty foreheads and untidy wet hair, they give cursory glances at the cages and leave. Today, they prefer an airconditioned environment than the zoo.

Would it be more humane to shutdown the zoo because local weather conditions do not allow the animals to survive in a natural environment? Is there a need for legislation on animal rights? Would you agree to pay more entrance fees if it means better temperature-controlled enclosures for animals? Tell us what you think should be done to alleviate their suffering at letter2editor@gulfnews.com

^^ :ohno:

Why even consider a zoo in Dubai ??? Isn't that a little bit animal-unfriendly?

Not if done correctly.

How could it ever be done correctly? Most animals have to live outside, you can't put them all the time in airconditioned spaces. This will mess up their metabolism (among others).

the zoo designer is ENVIRO WILD CONCEPTS from malaysia,whom won the Dubai Zoo Competion Design for Dubai Municipality July 2007

:bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash:does anybody know who are the designer for the zoo

The zoo designer is ENVIRO WILD CONCEPTS from Malaysia.
They won the zoo competion design for Dubai for the best conceptual design submission in july 2007,the other bids come from germany and usa.

You would think Dubai would do only what Dubai does... and thats on a GRAND scale......

a MEGA PROJECT

So they should make a MEGA SAFARI PARK, thats friendly to the animals and stuff

Why can't they just build a zoo already?
They keep changing its locations. Dubai will never have a good zoo.

Zoo's are cruel places and should be banned across the world. They are no more than animal prisons.

Dubai Zoo: Looking forward to a better day

Yet another summer will come by with hundreds of animals, at the Dubai Zoo, languishing in cramped conditions even as authorities continue to delay plans for a bigger facility. Most of the animals at the zoo are either victims of illegal trafficking or unwanted pets.

In trying to find them a better home, the authorities have see-sawed over the past few years between plans on building a new zoo and shelving those decisions. Gulf News reporters take a look at the venue’s struggle to become more than just an animal shelter.

Dubai: There seems to be no respite for the more than 1,000 animals at the Dubai Zoo who will continue to languish in the sweltering summer heat due to inordinate delays in plans to construct a new and bigger facility.

While the Dubai Municipality, the authority that manages the zoo, acknowledges that the zoo has its limitations, it added that there is no immediate solution to alleviate the space constraints.

"There are many plans for Dubai Zoo but all these plans are long term and no change is expected to take place at least until the end of this year," said Engineer Eisa Al Maidour, Assistant Director-General of the Dubai Municipality.
Not only is the Dubai Zoo housing animals in cramped conditions, it has also been earning bad press with limited or no promotion in hotel advertisements luring tourists to the emirate.

The zoo has grown considerably since it was launched in Jumeirah, in May 1967, with a few animals. Today, it is home to around 230 species while the total number exceeds over 1,000 animals — all of whom reside in an area measuring 20,000 square metres, which also includes offices and a visitors' centre.

More than 80 per cent of the zoo's population consists of animals either donated by people or seized by customs or municipality officials. Now, the zoo has stopped accepting more animals due to a lack of space.

"We prepared many plans for the zoo but each time the location was changed due to urban development," said Al Maidour.

As for the new location, he said it would be between Al Khail Road and Al Ain Road in the new Dubai area because it is possible to get a bigger space there.

This is the fourth time, in the past eight years, that developmental plans for the zoo have been changed. The municipality had first announced that it would be building a zoo in Al Mushrif Park in 2003, an initiative that was later shelved.

The civic body announced its plans to build a zoo at a new location in November 2005 in the Mushrif area. This never materialised either. In 2009, the municipality announced the construction of a new zoo at Dubailand, with open free-roam spaces for the animals. However, in the wake of the global recession that project was indefinitely shelved too.

"It is sad to see animals suffering in cramped conditions in a country which has the best and biggest of facilities in the world including the driverless metro, the tallest building in the world, the man made island like Palm Jumeirah and technological wonders like an indoor-ski slope," said a visitor to the Dubai Zoo. "I feel sorry that I brought my children here," he added. Hundreds of people visit Dubai Zoo every day.

Al Maidour agreed that the existing zoo does not compare with the developments witnessed by Dubai in all fields. Nevertheless, he seemed determined to have an ideal zoo in the near future.

"The design of the new zoo is being prepared in a way where animals will be provided with much better environment..." he added.

He added that the new zoo plan will implement the best practices in the world.

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/dubai-zoo-looking-forward-to-a-better-day-1.782391

Dubai is to start work on a new Zoo this year in a bid to replace the existing, outdated facility with a new park of “world class” standards, Dubai Municipality has said.

Plans for the new animal centre are expected to be signed off in the next two months with the help of special consultants, who will decide a suitable site, the required area as well as the location and grouping of animals, the municipality said.

According to the authorities, the zoo will adopt the cage concept over the safari model, which is typically reserved for developed countries and allows animals to roam freely within the development.

The cage concept is more appropriate for Dubai, officials said, given the are constraints of the emirate.

“The cages will be arranged and distributed in accordance with each category and type of animals, birds and other species in a comfortable way and adequate space without affecting the neighbourhoods,” said Hussian Nasser Lootah, director-general of Dubai Municipality.

“A full-fledged team of specialists, veterinarians, animal curators and entire qualified cadres for animal welfare according to the global systems and frame lines will be available.”

Dubai Zoo has attracted a wave of criticism over the years, with animal lovers and charities complaining about its small cages and poor living conditions.

Campaigners from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) famously gathered outside the zoo in July 2010 dressed up in monkey masks and prison outfits, protesting against the conditions the animals were being kept in.

The facility, which was established by HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum in 1967, now holds more animals than before, some of which are endangered and exotic animals illegally trafficked into Dubai from other countries.

Lootah admitted that the centre was outdated, and said the new zoo would provide better conditions for the animals.

“The current zoo should be improved,” he said. “It is very old and small after the huge development around it and increasing number of animals and visitors.”

He added that the animals would be shifted as soon as the new zoo was ready.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-start-work-on--world-class-zoo--444895.html

which is typically reserved for developed countries and allows animals to roam freely within the development

:lol: meaning most African countries are now "developed" , eh?!

Dubai to build new zoo costing Dh150m

Dubai: The Dubai Municipality has started work on developing Dubai Safari in Al Warqa area.
The project, which took about three months of planning, has been given a go-ahead by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The municipality has already started leveling the site and the Safari will have animals from other countries.
Animals from the existing Dubai Zoo will be shifted to the new Safari, said Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality.

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/dubai-to-build-new-zoo-costing-dh150m-1.1022284

the construction has started , the safari is located in al warqa 5

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/29893305.jpg

here is a link shows a video of the dubai safari project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBKBeUVnhfs

Little More

http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2012/05/13/dubai-safari-dhow-wharfage-business-bay-canal/

model picture of the project

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/images/zo_130512.jpg