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Dh500m zoo for DubaiLand

DUBAI — The construction of the new zoo at DubaiLand would begin this year, a senior official of the Dubai Municipality has stated.

Amidst speculations that the ambitious project was being scrapped as the civic body could not find suitable land for the project, senior officials of the General Projects Department told Khaleej Times that the zoo was currently in the final stage of designing.

"There has not been any further change in the venue. The new zoo would be coming up at DubaiLand. We have decided upon a consultant for the project and the overview of the project has been done. The designing part of the zoo is being finalised at the moment. The construction work would be beginning this year," said the official.

The new zoo will spread across an area of around 350 acres. The total cost of the project is currently estimated to be Dh500 million. The official added that the whole project has been divided into two phases.

"The first phase involves a total area of around 130 acres. This would include a car park and arrangements for the relocation of the animals currently dwelling in the zoo at Jumeirah," added the official.

The present zoo is situated in Jumeirah and houses around 1,200 animals, raising concerns that it is overcrowded. It has also been under the scanner of prominent animal welfare groups like PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals).

The new zoo at DubaiLand will have features like camel safari, zoo safari, botanical garden, night zoo and other recreational and educational activities for children.

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