Al-Khor Park’s mini zoo a huge hit among the public

The newly opened Al Khor Park has a rare attraction — a mini zoo featuring animals being shifted from the Doha Zoo.

The public park which was reopened on Thursday after renovation has become the first in the country to have a zoo. Renovations took over five years to complete.

The Peninsula reports that the Doha Zoo is undergoing a massive facelift, giving way to a unique Safari park and the animals have been shifted to various places.

More than 102 animals and birds have been moved to the mini zoo at Al Khor Park by the Animal Section of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Another 70 animals and birds will be shifted very soon.

The Public Park Department of the ministry said 172 animals and birds of 22 species will be available to entertain visitors to the park. 

The zoo will be open from 8am to 10pm on all days except Tuesday when entry is restricted to women and children. An added attraction is a train operating with battery and can accommodate 36 people to take a tour at the park.

“This is the first time we moved these animals and birds from the main zoo and Al Khor Park is the first to include a mini zoo,” Mohammed Ali Al Khori, Director of the department, said a statement.

“We have set up a special bridge to transfer animals during off days. Some animals were anaesthetised to ensure safe transfer,” said Dr Abu Baker Mohammed Hammoud, Head, veterinary unit, and Supervisor at the animal section. 

Work continues and 28 animals were transferred yesterday. All animals and birds have been given an electronic card with data for security and health follow-up, said Hammoud.

The mini zoo has eight open stockades divided into two sections, 10 glass cages and one giant cage with water ponds, falls, bridges and trees where nests are hanged.

The zoo also has a veterinary room to check and treat animals and birds, six rooms for quarantine and observation, a laboratory, a pharmacy and a room for dissection. There is an attached building for preparing food for animals and birds.

Shaheen Ghanim Al Mohannadi, Manager of the park, said the number of visitors on the opening day exceeded their expectations.

People came from different parts of Qatar, thanks to the great job carried out by different parties, he added. “Today (Saturday) we were honoured to receive Moroccan Ambassador Al Makki Kawan, who visited the park with his wife.”

More than 10,000 people visited the park until yesterday evening, the ministry said on its Facebook account last night. Entry fee is QR5 per adult.