Doha Sights

Doha Zoo

#58 of 58 things to do in Doha

#1 of 1 zoologic sights in Qatar

3 reviews | Write a review

Good for: Nothing, No one

Not good for: animals, animal welfare

  • Address
    • Al-Furousiya St Al-Rayyan opp Racing & Equestrian Club
  • Phone
    • tel, info: 468 2610
  • Hours
    • 08:00-12:00 & 14:30-19:30 Sat-Thu, 14:30-19:30 Fri

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Lonely Planet review for 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.

 

Traveller reviews for Doha Zoo (3)

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    Miserable conditions for the animals

    hamawi does not recommend this,

    I was very shocked when I visited Doha zoo because of the terrible condition of the animals. The animals looked extremely distressed, most where housed in small cages only 5 or six meters wide, including the Lions, Tiger, Siberian Tiger. Their enclosure was basically a small room with dust on the floor and absolutely nothing to play with or no where to hide from screaming kids who were only a couple of meters way.

    I left feeling very depressed.

    Good for: Nothing

    Not good for: animals

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    Animal rights completely ignored

    hindy89 does not recommend this,

    I completely agree with the comment from dohadiva, I used to live in Doha and we visited this zoo when I was about 11 years old, it was far from enjoyable and I was completely shocked at how the animals were being treated in this zoo. They are not at all placed in their natural habitats (the least a zoo should do) and they were noticeabley detriorating in health physically and mentally.

    The only thing I wanted to do was leave.

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    About what I had expected but very upsetting nevertheless.

    dohadiva does not recommend this,

    We've been living in Doha for four years and during that time I have resisted visiting the zoo. I find that most zoos around the world leave a great deal to be desired in terms of animal care, appropriate enclosures, attention to mental well being, lack of hygiene and medical/veterinary assistance. Sadly, on my visit last Friday my worst fears were realised. It doesn't help when reviews elsewhere say things such as 'it could be worse' or ' not very good but I've seen worse examples', That does nothing for the animals suffering at the Doha zoo. Examples are the small black Shetland pony which is clearly suffering from either dermodectic or sarcoptic mange. Since this covers the pony from its rump up the the ears and face it isn't recently acquired and yet nothing has been done about it. It would not surprise me in the least if the other ponies in the same enclosure have this condition to some extent as it's highly contagious. Many of the nocturnal animals housed in a cave like tunnel are subjected to bright, even fierce light which must throw their natural habits into disaray. A small tortise in this area had no water available and the only food I saw consisted of slimy looking blackened lettuce. The chimps, highly intelligent animals, are housed in a tiny enclosure with no evident options for play. They have nowhere to escape from the public gaze and indeed were three of the saddest monkeys I've ever seen. Despite signs everywhere warning against the public feeding animals there were dozens of people feeding them sweets, potato chips, fruit and junk food. This was being done in full view of the guards who did nothing to intervene (although they seemed happy enough to allow me to do so) In the nocturnal animal area we saw at least five children hitting the glass fronts of cages, generally making life for these poor creatures even more miserable if this is possible. There were no guards in this area and it was left up to us to tell the children to stop this behaviour (signs forbidding this were written in both languages on several notices) Outside in the area set aside for birds I saw at least five which had sustained wing damage and nothing had been done to address this problem. Possibly the most heart breaking sight was the lone elephant, clearly stressed, swaying from foot to foot and completely alone. The sign at the front of the cage of this tiny area noting that this highly intelligent species is a matriarchal society which bands together and enjoys a long life with companions was simply rubbing sallt into the wound. Many zoos lack funding, many operate under very difficult conditions. There is NO excuse for the conditions at this zoo in this particular country and no excuse for the way the animals are neglected to such an extent. I have been attempting to speak with someone at the Doha Zoo for two days with no success. Their phone is never answered and so I'm doing the best that I can by writing of my concerns on any site I can find where people might take notice. I also intend to contact Animal Welfare organisations in my home country in an effort to have someone bring this unacceptable state of affairs to the notice an appropriate (and caring) authority here. If you have visited the Doha Zoo, please consider making your concerns known in any way you can. If we don't stand up for every animal they have no chance at all. Thank you.

    Good for: No one

    Not good for: animal welfare

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