Zoological sights in Middle East
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Aquarium
Housed in a fine, sail-shaped building on the corniche, the mesmerising aquarium is the largest in the Middle East. A sign of contentment, perhaps, turtles perch on the back of lazy crocodiles, hedgehogs mate, prickles notwithstanding, in the adjacent eco-display, and even the aquarium's guards have taken to humming Arabic love songs. The unique intertidal display, with waves washing in at eye level, is home to shoals of black-spotted sweetlips and the ingenious mudskipper.
But the most spectacular part of the display (with giant spider crabs at 3.8m leg to leg, a living reef and fluorescent jellyfish coming in at a close second) is undoubtedly the wraparound, floor-to-ce…
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Carmel Hai Bar
The Carmel Hai Bar is a functioning wildlife preserve where wild goats, wild sheep and deer are bred and monitored until they can be released into the wild. The entrance to the reserve is on Rte 672, about 300m past the Haifa University. It's a good idea to call first as hours are sporadic.
The preserve is on the edge of Carmel National Park, known locally as the Shveytsaria HaK'tana (Little Switzerland). It is renowned for its fertility; vineyards covered the area in ancient times and the name Carmel is derived from the Hebrew Kerem-El (Vineyard of God). For some pleasant walking or for a picnic, take bus No 92 from Herzl St in Hadar or Carmel Centre and just get off whe…
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Underwater Observatory Marine Park
For as much aquatic action as you can handle without getting wet, head to the Underwater Observatory Marine Park , south of Coral Beach. Aside from standard aquarium features such as shark tanks, turtles and stingray pools there are highlights like the magical glassed-in observatory, 4.25m below the water's surface, through which you can view the usually rich Red Sea marine life.
In case the fish outside fail to put in an appearance there are plenty of captive specimens in the accompanying aquarium. There's even a pitch-black room for viewing phosphorescent fish. Kids will get a thrill out of the petting pool and the regular feedings that take place between 11:00 and 15:…
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Zoo
The northern area of the park, Gan Ha'em, is given over to an extremely attractive small Zoo , which sports an aviary, a reptile house, and microhabitats that are home to bears, lions, monkeys and other creatures. There is also a rogue peacock that bolts past unsuspecting visitors (watch out!). Within the grounds of the zoo you can also enter the M Stekelis Museum of Prehistory, the Biological Museum and the Natural History Museum.
Hours for the museums are the same as the zoo and one ticket is good for all the sites.
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Biblical Zoo
Spare your kids the agony of visiting another treasure of antiquity and let them loose in the excellent Biblical Zoo, a 25-hectare park in the southwest of the city. The zoo contains animals mentioned in the Bible that have become extinct in Israel, including lions, bears and crocodiles. Another section displays endangered animals from other parts of the world. Take bus 26 from the central bus station.
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Little Jungle
A smaller zoo than Kuwait Zoo, Little Jungle, is designed for smaller children, who can pat a pony, grab a goat or kiss a camel while parents puff on a sheesha (water pipe used to smoke tobacco) and think of caterpillars instead.
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Animal Encounter
If you or your kids are animal-lovers, don't miss Animal Encounter 17km from Beirut, a well-known and respected refuge for unwanted, impounded or abandoned domestic and wild animals.
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Safari in the National Park
A self-drive park where you can see lions, tigers and other wildlife roaming in a 'natural habitat'.
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Doha Zoo
With more than 1500 animals from all over the world in a pleasant garden setting, the Doha Zoo is one of the better zoos the region has to offer. It also has a good display of local desert animals and birds, making it a worthwhile 'first stop' for those going on desert safari. It's best to ring first as timings are erratic.
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