Latest Qatar News

Visitors throng the Doha Zoo on Eid Al Adha

More than 13,000 visitors thronged the Doha Zoo on the first day of Eid Al Adha holidays, when it was opened to general public. Majority of the workers who flocked to the Zoo were single workers during the first two days of Eid holidays.

However, the visitor numbers may decline soon, due to the ‘family day’, effective today until the weekend. The lack of festivities in malls, in comparison to previous years, during the Eid holidays, was another reason for the rise in visitor numbers to the zoo. In fact, even during Eid Al Fitr holidays, nearly 27,000 visitors came to Doha Zoo to spend time with families. The white tiger, at the centre of the zoo garden, is the major attraction at the zoo, while several other visitors fed the elephant and photographed the interesting ones in the collection.

Some visitors, expressed disappointment over the closure of upper level of the zoo. The top level, which is one of the best spots in the zoo, is now closed for maintenance works.

According to Hassan Mohannadi, Chairman, Doha Zoo, the maintenance work included 70percent of animal pens and replacing the soil to avoid any bad odour.

Al Mohannadi revealed that the zoo management is ensuring the security and comfort within the zoo, in line with Ministry of Environment’s keenness for safety in the zoo due to large visitor turnout during the holidays.

The zoo is exclusively open to families today. Gifts are likely to be given to the first 200 children visiting the zoo, when the gate opens at 2pm. Separate queue system has been planned to avoid overcrowding with large area being planned for vehicle parking.

Plans are underway for expansion of zoo in the future, with addition of recreation centre in the zoo, under a new management. Further, a Bedouin corner, free horse rides, rare birds and iguanas are other exciting activities to look forward to for families visiting the zoo from today.

The zoo will be open from 2pm to 7pm and until 8.30pm at the play areas and gardens until the end of Eid holiday, with QR2 as entry fee charged for children and QR5 for adults.

Posted on 8/11/2011