Zoo to move to Dubailand
February 1st, 2007The animal residents of Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah will soon be enjoying a slightly more comfortable life. Dubai Municipality have unveiled plans to build a new 500 acres zoo at Dubailand. Over one thousand animals currently live in cramped conditions in Dubai Zoo, a facility that has been repeatedly criticised by animal rights activists and residents over the years. Plans for the new zoo include a night zoo, safari and educational facilities. The zoo is expected to be complete within 18 months.
February 4th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Yeah right its more than a year later still nothing! Stop lying the nationals dont care about animals they just carte about themselves and their own money.
July 6th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
We are a small group of concerned individuals who have been lobbying Dubai Municipality to hasten the relocation of Dubai Zoo. Plans to move the Zoo to a larger area in ’safari park’ type surroundings were first announced over 20 years ago. But while Dubai has developed into a flourishing commercial and tourist centre, plans for the new Zoo have been shelved several times.
Many, many commercial projects have been completed in that time. The Zoo, however, is not high on the list of priorities for Dubai. The current Zoo is an archaic, cheap ‘entertainment’ for the public, with little consideration for the natural habitat or behaviour of its animals. The enclosures are cramped, concrete cells just a few metres square, without enrichment for the animals – and sometimes even without water. The Zoo personnel, although well-meaning, have few qualifications; in fact, it is often difficult to find any keeper in attendance.
We realise that there are similarly poor zoos everywhere; what we find impossible to accept is that Dubai is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. There are no excuses for keeping animals in such atrocious conditions when the money is readily available. Tourists are flocking to Dubai in their thousands; to the first class hotels, sports facilities, restaurants and clubs……but few tourists are encouraged to visit the Zoo. It is too much of an embarrassment.
August 10th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Alison above please can i have your details of the group I’d like to join to lobby for a new zoo. Thanks.