Dubai is to set up one of the best crocodile preservation parks in the world at a cost of AED 10 million. Dubai civic body is targeting to complete the Dubai Crocodile Park within 24 months.
The project was announced by Hussain Nassir Lootah, director-general of Dubai Municipality, during a press conference yesterday after the agreement signing with contracting company, White Oryx Investment. The project, which is on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis, is expected to come up near the planned Dubai Safari in Mushriff area which is about 10 km from the international airport.
The 20,000-square-meter park will strengthen the role of the UAE in the protection of endangered species working closely with educational institutions as an alternative and pedagogical tool that encourages the interest of youth in natural sciences.
Hussain Nassir Lootah said, “This ambitious project will be a turning point in the history of Dubai tourism and research projects as the proposed crocodile park would encompass different crocodile species in future stages of the park development, enabling tourists and research students to learn the a-to-z of the crocodile.”
According to Khalifa Abdullah Hareb, director of Assets Management Department, the main objective of the crocodile park is to offer a unique destination of wildlife tourism combining nature and adventure, along with its diversified tourism attractions including upcoming mega-tourism projects in Dubai.
“This projects would adopt an eco-friendly approach like all other projects of the civic body through sustainable use of eco-friendly materials, resources, waste, renewable energy and creating a most suitable environment for the crocodiles for a hassle free living,” he said.Mohamed Oueslati, general manager of White Oryx said, “We hope to successfully implement this most awaited project in sync with the expectations of the Dubai Government, Civic Body, citizens and residents of Dubai in addition to millions of tourists and research students who are expected to visit the park.
“The visitor can discover the various stages of crocodiles natural life such as egg laying, hatching, growing, breeding, family life, and much more in various angles of relaxing, crawling, swimming and diving,” he said.
“All activities will be held in the strict respect of the course of the animal natural life without considering any external or artificial element for added attraction,” he said.
