13/07/2022
56109 times read
13/07/2022
56109 times read
Facility received 170,000 visitors annually before pandemic
![](https://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/kuwait-zoo.jpg)
KUWAIT CITY, July 13: Since the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) closed the zoo in March 2020 “until further notice”, as a precautionary measure to prevent the outbreak of the corona virus and limit its spread at that time, the authority has not announced any specific date for its reopening, which was receiving about 170,000 visitors annually before the pandemic, from all segments of society and age groups, and was considered one of the most important tourist and recreational facilities in the country, reports Al-Qabas daily.
The daily said, the citizens now demand the restoration of this recreational outlet and its reopening to visitors, pointing out that it is not logical to close recreational facilities without announcing a timetable for their reopening. After doing away with the restrictions related to the repercussions of the pandemic months ago and resuming most recreational activities in parks, complexes, malls, restaurants and others, it has become necessary to know the fate of the zoo, which has an area of 180,000 square meters, and is rich in many types of animals and birds and reptiles, in addition to a tram that takes visitors around the zoo moving on the green track. The zoo on the first and second days of any holiday in the past received about 2,000 visitors.
According to informed sources, the opening of the zoo again will take some time, given the need to restore and develop its facilities, especially animal cages, electrical installations, toilets and infrastructure in general. The sources pointed out the completion of these works require time between 6 to 12 months, in the event that these works are completed immediately. The sources added that the park contains 190 species of animals, birds, reptiles and mammals, with a total of about 1,500 animals, and these animals were not affected by any diseases or losses during the period of closing the park more than two years ago, indicating that this is due to the conclusion of a contract with a company to supply food inside cages throughout those years. The sources pointed out that the zoo is awaiting more government attention, to ensure the opening of this recreation within a short time, noting that the documentary cycle between government agencies may be one of the reasons for the slow completion of its maintenance work.