Join our zoo community

Dubai Zoo A new zoo for Dubai

Discussion in 'United Arab Emirates' started by kiang, 12 Feb 2012.

Tags:
  1. kiang

    kiang Well-Known Member 15+ year member

    Joined:
    12 Aug 2007
    Posts:
    6,063
    Location:
    Argyllshire
    Dubai is to start work on a new Zoo this year in a bid to replace the existing, outdated facility with a new park of “world class” standards, Dubai Municipality has said.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.

    gulfnews : Dubai Municipality plans new zoo in emirate
     
  2. devilfish

    devilfish Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    5 Jul 2008
    Posts:
    1,924
    Location:
    Knowle, UK
    I'm not sure what to make of this. Plans for a 'world-class' zoo in Dubai have been floating around for quite some time (for example: Small and Sad: Dubai Zoo’s Relocation on Hold Again Designing Zoos) so we'll see if these will be followed up. I don't really understand the logic behind choosing cages over open exhibits; a small area is cited as the main factor, but why should this be an issue if the site hasn't been chosen yet? I visited the current zoo a few months ago, and its main issue seems to be its small size. A larger site with a more efficient layout would be great for this zoo, even with just its current collection.

    Why, on all other fronts, are the Emirates aspiring to be 'a developed country', but when it comes to its zoo, Dubai is happy to be classed with some of the world's poorest countries?
    Do these plans really offer the improvement that Dubai Zoo needs?
     
  3. Kifaru Bwana

    Kifaru Bwana Well-Known Member 15+ year member

    Joined:
    25 Jan 2006
    Posts:
    12,225
    Location:
    Amsterdam, Holland
    Agreed. The Mun. has talked of rebuilding a zoo for Dubai elsewhere for close 1,5 decade ... It is both timely and true that it become reality soon ... Having money for al Burj and the Islands real estate infers it is more than a little embarassing they cannot get it together for Dubai Zoo's embattled and professionally managed small zoo and staff. A shame really!

    I will believe it ... when they do have a New Zoo under present management built and the animals relocated and the collection extended into a themed zoo!!! :mad:
     
  4. Nisha

    Nisha Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    24 Jun 2009
    Posts:
    6,297
    Location:
    UK
  5. devilfish

    devilfish Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    5 Jul 2008
    Posts:
    1,924
    Location:
    Knowle, UK
    Thanks for that - looks very interesting. I'm not sure how practical it'll be for zoo enthusiasts but it definitely looks like a decent experience for the average visitor.

    I'm not enormously optimistic about the size of paddocks - it's quite easy to just melt the huge Asian or African sections into just a couple of enclosures, and space seems a bit disproportionate on this map (e.g. tigers get almost as much area as the elephants or 'Asian savanna', and the reptile complex is a similar size). I hope the elephants get enough space.

    I don't really see the relevance of having a sea life building, but can't really judge until we know what they plan on exhibiting in it.
     
  6. Arizona Docent

    Arizona Docent Well-Known Member 15+ year member

    Joined:
    10 Feb 2009
    Posts:
    7,702
    Location:
    Arizona, USA
    From the article:

    “It’s a safari concept with a different flavour. Visitors will have to use the zoo’s vehicles to go around and see the animals,” he said.

    What exactly does this mean???
     
  7. Ituri

    Ituri Well-Known Member 15+ year member

    Joined:
    5 Dec 2007
    Posts:
    2,933
    Location:
    USA
    They have been getting logistical and design support on this project from San Diego Zoo Global. If you notice the style of the map on the artist's impressions and the names of the regions, it may seem quite familiar.
     
  8. reduakari

    reduakari Well-Known Member 15+ year member

    Joined:
    17 Mar 2008
    Posts:
    1,044
    Location:
    berkeley california USA
    I know San Diego has been involved in the long-running project in Al Ain, in the UAE, but didn't know they were part of this project as well. "Lion Camp" does sound a bit familiar though.
     
  9. Ituri

    Ituri Well-Known Member 15+ year member

    Joined:
    5 Dec 2007
    Posts:
    2,933
    Location:
    USA
    Hmm....maybe I'm confusing my institutions. Perhaps this one just mimicked the names and map style of San Diego. My mistake.
     
  10. Chlidonias

    Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

    Joined:
    13 Jun 2007
    Posts:
    23,395
    Location:
    New Zealand
    here's a better article:
    gulfnews : Dubai Safari to cover 400 hectares
     
  11. Nisha

    Nisha Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    24 Jun 2009
    Posts:
    6,297
    Location:
    UK
  12. Jackwow

    Jackwow Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    25 Nov 2012
    Posts:
    452
    Location:
    In Scotland at the moment
    The only amazing thing about Dubai Zoo is that anyone goes there! It's probably one of the world's worst zoos.

    I lived in Dubai for 13 years (1999-2013) and heard many anouncements about a new Dubai Zoo but they were all false dawns.

    Internet searches for Dubai Safari only bring up desert offroad trips.
     
  13. vogelcommando

    vogelcommando Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    10 Dec 2012
    Posts:
    17,723
    Location:
    fijnaart, the netherlands
  14. Jackwow

    Jackwow Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    25 Nov 2012
    Posts:
    452
    Location:
    In Scotland at the moment
    It's going to have a resort and golf course as well. Yippee, just what Dubai needs, another golf course!
     
  15. zooboy28

    zooboy28 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    1 Aug 2010
    Posts:
    4,439
    Location:
    Christchurch, New Zealand
    Well with all that water they've got, why not use it for growing golf course grass!
     
  16. vogelcommando

    vogelcommando Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    10 Dec 2012
    Posts:
    17,723
    Location:
    fijnaart, the netherlands
  17. vogelcommando

    vogelcommando Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    10 Dec 2012
    Posts:
    17,723
    Location:
    fijnaart, the netherlands
  18. laurastifence

    laurastifence New Member

    Joined:
    11 May 2014
    Posts:
    1
    Location:
    Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
    I will visit it soon.

    Thanks for the info, I am surly going to visit it soon with my kids.
     
  19. vogelcommando

    vogelcommando Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    10 Dec 2012
    Posts:
    17,723
    Location:
    fijnaart, the netherlands
  20. vogelcommando

    vogelcommando Well-Known Member 10+ year member

    Joined:
    10 Dec 2012
    Posts:
    17,723
    Location:
    fijnaart, the netherlands