Dubai to have a new zoo soon

The emirate is expected to have a new zoo soon. The Dubai Municipality has started a study on the new zoo project to be built in the emirate and aims to shift the animals in the existing zoo. The location and area will be selected after the details are studied. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said a consultant and an action team will come up with the final concept of the project, including the selection of a suitable site, required area and distribution of animals in line with international standards. Cage system The study is expected to be completed in two months. The civic body was presented with the concepts of ‘Safari', as adopted in countries like Singapore and Thailand, and ‘Cages' by the consultant. Lootah said that considering the area constraints, the municipality plans to adopt the cage system. "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 neighbourhood." He said that a team of specialists, veterinarians, animal curators and entire qualified cadres for animal welfare will be available at the site. Oldest in the Gulf "Actually, the current zoo should be improved, as it is very old and small after the huge development around it and increasing number of animals and visitors. It was established by Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum in 1967," he said. Dubai Zoo is the oldest zoo in the Gulf and its management was taken over by the Dubai Municipality in the 1970s. It houses more than 200 animal species, including some of the rarest ones. Home to more than 1,000 animals, the government-owned facility in Jumeirah attracts thousands of visitors every year. In 2008, it is estimated to have attracted close to 340,000 visitors. However, along with appreciation, it has drawn criticism for the conditions in which animals are forced to stay due to scarcity of space. There have been announcements regarding building of a new zoo for more than eight years now. According to previously announced plans, the new zoo was to be located at Al Mushrif or Dubailand. However, the projects were put on hold.