New zoo planned for Jeddah

Plans are under way to build a new zoo in east Jeddah, said Ayad M. Abdullah, general manager for the Parks and Landscaping division of Jeddah Municipality.
The process will begin in 2014 when the municipality identifies possible partners, including foreign companies. Abdullah said several studies are being carried out to determine what will be needed for the new facility. He also said the Jeddah Urban Development and Investment Company is planning to develop an exclusive area for recreational activities for Jeddah residents where the zoo will be set up in a spacious place. The proposed development will include a golf course and forest.
Abdullah’s comments come in the wake of the dismantling on Monday of the privately owned Beautiful Creatures Zoo on Tahliya Street. The zoo was established in 1985 by Saudi businessman Wasmi Al-Wasmi and was closed for about a year. The 100 animals kept by the zoo have been sold to facilities across the country.
The city’s other zoo on Kilo 11 is owned by the municipality and has been closed for almost a decade. It had more than 500 animals including 15 tigers, dozens of lions and birds. Some tigers and lions have been transferred to zoos in other cities including Riyadh and Taif.
Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras approved the transfers. Some animals are still kept at the location and are being cared for by a company specializing in dealing with wildlife in captivity.
The Beautiful Creatures Zoo was established in Jeddah on 16,000 square meters of land. Al-Wasmi owned some of the land and leased the other part from Jeddah Municipality. The zoo was popular with families and had a variety of animals including tigers, lions, elephants, chimpanzees and different species of birds.
With the rapid development of Jeddah, the zoo found itself in a residential area. There were also plans to build a highway and bridge in the area. In addition, many animal lovers in Jeddah complained about the condition of the zoo because of the cramped space and the alleged poor condition of the animals.
A probe was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Civil Defense and Jeddah Municipality into the grievances of residents and the status of the animals. It was then decided not to renew the lease on the land owned by the municipality. Al-Wasmi tried to move the zoo to another area, but his plan failed to materialize.
The Saudi Wildlife Commission’s Saeed Al-Jamah, who is based in Riyadh, said zoos are not the responsibility of his organization. The municipalities are the responsible bodies, he said.
There are some private zoos in the Kingdom, including in Dammam, Hafar Al-Bateen, Arar, Al-Kharj, Riyadh and Taif. The recently opened Othaim Shopping Mall in Dammam has Bengal tigers in its animal section. Some pet stores also keep wild animals and are open to visitors, mainly schoolchildren.