For centuries, taking a walk on the wild side in the Arabian peninsula has been a sandy experience – with just a handful of indigenous species strewn throughout the desert. Now, the emirate of Dubai is set to welcome more than 350 species at the new “Dubai Safari Park”, expected to open mid-year.
Eng Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality, told Gulf News: “The new zoo will be home to almost 1,000 animals from around the world, and out of those, there will be more than 350 species of rare and endangered animals.”
Construction began in 2012 to replace the current zoo on Jumeirah Road, but plans for a larger facility have been in the works for around a decade. The existing animals, including giraffes and various primates, will be relocated to their new 119-hectare home in Al Warqa (near Dragon Mart), joined by around a thousand other animals.
Gulf News also reported that the Safari Park’s design and layout incorporate the best practices from world-renowned safaris and zoos, adapted to suit the needs of Dubai. That includes customised climate-controlled cages to ensure the animals are comfortable and healthy. Every cage will be temperature-controlled using water-cooled greenhouse technology.
The park will also feature 100 different kinds of plants, each related to the area’s theme, and more than 2,500 trees. The Village Safari area, which houses the animals, is nearing completion and landscaping is currently taking place, with rocks, water features and greenery being added.
Visitors to the new zoo will be guided through several themed areas, including Arabian, Asian and African villages and a 60-hectare amateur golf course will also be located on site, according to the official Dubai Municipality project website, which also offers a prospective layout of the site.