About Dubai Zoo - حديقة حيوان دبي

Dubai Zoo is the oldest zoo of its kind not only in the United Arab Emirates but also in the Arabian Peninsula. Dubai Zoo also happens to be the first Arabian zoo to breed the rare Chimpanzee and Arabian wild cat.

It is a special place of interest and fun for tourists and the people of Dubai and H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Maktoum, the late Ruler of Dubai, permitted Otto J. Bulart to build the Zoo on a two hectacre plot in Jumeirah and in those days The Dubai Zoo became a landmark as it indicated the “town’s end“.

During the first couple of years of its existance, the Dubai Zoo housed only a few animals like the big cats, monkeys and hoofed-animals. There was also a small acquarium with some fishes and reptiles but when in 1971 the management of the Dubai Zoo was taken over by the Dubai Municipality a part of the Zoo was redesigned and rebuilt. From then to the present there is constant re-designing and renovation.

Located in Jumeirah, the Dubai Zoo is a popular attraction, especially for families. The zoo’s modern facilities though small includes a group of animals that fits to UAE’s environment, and in other environments from all over the world and houses approximately 230 animal species among these are around 248 mammal specimens, including foxes, hyenas, pumas, lions, jaguars, chimpanzees, baboons, monkeys, deer, bears, porcupines, giraffes and Barbary sheep.

Endangered species include Socotra shag or cormorant, Bengal tiger, gorilla, subspecies of grey wolf and Arabian wolf, Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), and the indigenous Gordon’s wildcat.

Birds include ostrich, golden eagle and parrots.

Reptiles are represented by around 400 specimens.
Facilities:

– Public facilities services (WC for men, women and for people with special needs)
– Shaded seats are available
– Restaurant providing beverages, sweets, ice cream and presents are available
– Prayer place services (for men and women with special places for ablutions