The temporarily closed Doha Zoo has recently welcomed its newest resident, a baby giraffe, the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP) announced this week.
ولادة زرافة جديدة بحديقة الحيوان #الدوحة #قطر #البلدية_قطر #Qatar #BaladiyaQatar pic.twitter.com/PmcdSCcdfP
— وزارة البلدية | Ministry Of Municipality (@albaladiya) May 18, 2015
The calf is a reticulated giraffe, also known as the Somali giraffe, due to its original habitat in southern Somalia, southern Ethiopia and northeastern Kenya.
According to the MMUP, the life span of the animal is between 25 and 28 years. Pregnancy in this species of giraffe lasts from 453 to 464 days, or about 15 months, Baladiya added.
New zoo
The 30-year old Doha Zoo, which is located opposite Aspire Park and Villaggio Mall, was abruptly closed in August 2012 for renovations, after being criticized for its small size, outdated facilities and treatment of animals.
The site is expected to be replaced with a multi-million dollar safari park that is scheduled to open to visitors in late 2017.
Last month, Qatar’s public works authority awarded a QR45 million (US$12.3 million) contract to a local company to demolish the buildings and facilities that are currently on site.
Speaking to Doha News, an MMUP spokesperson said today that the zoo animals continue to live in the old facility, but he was unsure when they would be moved to make way for the demolition.
Last year, Ashghal said that the animals would remain at the former zoo for at least another year, until an animal containment facility is built to house them when construction moves forward.
A spokeswoman previously told Doha News:
“The health and wellness of the Doha Zoo’s animals are of utmost priority. The enabling works that have commenced will be undertaken while ensuring the protection and maintenance of all the natural environments of the zoo.”
The temporary facility is located in Rawdhat Al Faras, off of Al Shamal Highway at the Al Zubara Interchange. That building would include residences for caretakers and a veterinary clinic.
Meanwhile, Aswan Trading and Contracting Company is scheduled to spend the next 14 months preparing the site for the main construction, as well as preserving and maintaining the “trees and natural environment” during excavation works.
Zoo plans
The new zoo is expected to be seven times bigger than the current zoo and will host some 3,000 animals.
It will be divided into several regions themed around the natural and climatic features of three continents: An “African safari” characterized by forests and savanas, an “Asia woodland” with mountains and a South American rainforest.
Each region is expected to be accessible through multiple safari trips by car, boat and foot.
When completed, there is also supposed to be a cable car link from Villaggio mall and a “seven-star” treehouse hotel, in addition to themed restaurants and shops, and a large underground parking facility.
Thoughts?
Mabrouk!!
Wow great news! They should name him/her!
However they are having trouble registering the birth as the father’s RP expired two years ago when his sponsor refused to pay for renewing. His sponsor sighted the closure of the zoo and the lack of income. He promised once it opens again and he gets paid, the giraffe will get all his ‘dues’. Mother giraffe was said to be depressed as she had promised to take her new child to africa to meet its grandparents but without proper papers that is impossible.
Qatar’s Human Rights Committee refused to intervene saying this was a matter between the employer and employee, however the Ministry for Transparency and Happy Worker Relations denied there was any problem and offered any giraffe that wanted to visit Qatar a few tour of the splending accommodation and working conditions, with a sneak peak of the plans to build a 100,000 sqm safari home for all animals.
Meanwhile the lion died of a heart attack in the heat, which Hamad MC said was natural causes.
In this case the giraffe should be deported after having served a year in prison because her pregnancy is the result of an illicit relation.
Haha, that was my first thought when I read the headline (been on vacation, loving the fact that I don’t have to deal with this stuff temporarily…..).
Every time I read an article on DN should I expect a lame attempt at satire from you?
And he talks about productivity pfffft
You have the right not to read it, I won’t be offended.
Lol. However any giraffes visiting Qatar must have the proper visa if they plan to take photos and on no account should they attempt to talk to any other animals.
Seriously though. Lovely news. But 15 months pregnant? That’s not maternity, that’s eternity. Sheeshk. I thought we humans had it bad.
Your posts make me laugh out loud. Hilarious.
If I ever have kids I hope I will make the news when I give birth. I think the health and wellness of the animals at the Souq should also be a priority. 45 million riyals to demolish something?? that sounds very overpriced.
The Zoo is the only project I am looking forward to, and I think it will be an amazing destination for kids and families
Daily mail’s new competitor Doha News.
I thought they said a few months ago there were no animals left on the site of the old zoo, they moved them all out? After first saying they did, then they didn’t, then they did, now there’s a story about a baby giraffe?
I’d really like to get in there and see what is happening to the animals, does anyone know?
The zoo was horrible. To see that poor black panther pacing pacing pacing in that small cage area was terrible. It was clearly stressed. Zoos should only be for conservation and breeding of endangered species, with a proper simulated environment with enough and the appropriate space needed for each species and the staff must be expert in care and compassion. Zoos should not exist for human amusement. We humans make the world an unsafe,cruel place for animals-and then think we are superior. (Generalising I know as of course there are some amazing people out there working for animal rights)