Massive safari park 'under the sun' to open gates in Dubai

Dubai’s new safari park in Al Warqa area, which is scheduled to open by this year-end, is an eco-friendly project.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, a Dubai Municipality (DM) official said, “The park will be spread over an area of 119 hectares. It will comprise a safari village, Arabian village, Asian Village and African village apart from a zoo for children, butterfly park, botanical garden, resort, and golf course, in addition to educational and veterinary facilities.”

About 1,000 animals from across the world will be housed there in temperature-controlled environment.

The animals and birds from the current Dubai zoo will also be transferred to the new venue in Al Warqa, which is 80 times bigger than the Jumeirah facility.

Authorities plan to tap into solar energy to generate electricity as well as operate an artificial wadi system, transportation, and amusement facilities inside the park, the official added.

“The annual power consumption expected to run the safari park is estimated to be about 630 MWH. Authorities aim to generate energy using 1250 photovoltaic panels,  making an annual saving of Dh280,000 per year,” said the official.

The park will use off-grid hybrid PV systems for irrigation. Hybrid system will use sunlight during the day and switch over to conventional electricity at night. The park will also use water and waste water recycling facilities for an artificial wadi, consisting of water falls and boating facilities.

Temperature control would be crucial because there would be animals from across the world, that are not used to the scorching summers here, the official said.

Temperature control is very important for the park because animals from diverse geographical regions of the world with diverse climate will be living in the park.

The current zoo located in Jumeirah on 1.5 hectares area was built in 1965.

The solar projects of Dubai Municipality were displayed at the Middle East Solar Energy Exhibition in Dubai World Trade Centre.
 

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