Kuwait zoo was established in 1968.The zoo suffered extensive damages during the 1990 Iraqi Invasion. Nevertheless, most of the maintenance work has been finished, and the zoo reopened after the modification and renovation work was completed. Part of these renovations in early 1993 included the addition of new animals from other zoos.The zoo is around 180,000 m2 in area. It is divided into four major sections:
- Animal Section
- Cultural Centre and Life Sciences Division
- Services and Maintenance section
- Veterinary clinic.
How to go?
Kuwait Zoo is located in Omariya on Route 55 just after the 5th Ring Road, towards Farwaniya.
Animal Section
The animal zone is the most popular part of the zoo. The enclosed spaces are well maintained, animal cages are installed with A/C’s and the animals are seem to be taken good care of the park administration. Several species ranging from the perilous carnivores, like tigers, lions, cheetah, leopards, European grey wolves, and striped hyenas to mischievous chimpanzees, monkeys, olive baboons and ring-tailed lemurs are housed here. Crested porcupines, Tortoises, gazelles, elephants, giraffes, ostriches, emus, Himalayan bears, impalas, hippopotamus, crocodile, zebra, wolves and deer are some other occupants of the zoo. The aviary comprises of exotic birds, such as flamingos, black necked swans, vultures, white eared bulbul, steppe eagle, variety of parrots and white pelican to name a few. The reptile section is full of creepy crawlies, including diadem snake, boa constrictor, sand viper, green iguana and ball python. Desert animals like the camel, desert rattle snakes, desert tortoise, white-throated wood rat, Karla (the kangaroo cat), desert cobra, Glia monsters, fennec fox, elf owl, ringtail and mule deer are also seen here.
Interesting things at animal section
- In one of the few grassed exhibits in the zoo, Nile crocodile, about 3 meters long, is safely housed.
- There is a big Reptile House at the zoo. In a large glass-fronted tank there is a large Boa Constrictor and the other cages were all small glass-fronted affairs, which included the Black Cobra, Diadem Snake, Rat Snake (Kuwaiti version, not the American snake of the same name), Hissing Sand Snake, Desert Horned Viper, Sand Viper, Angolan Python and a young Green Iguana.
- There are several large bird atriums around the zoo and also a Victorian style round cage for Asiatic Black Bear.
- There is a large-sized grassed cage for Reeve’s Muntjac and another decent-sized exhibit with grasses for Korean Water Deer which attracts most visitors.
- the most popular are the cheetah, tiger and lion enclosures. Cheetahs have a bigger enclosure, but the tiger enclosure was a bit small and desolate. The lion enclosure is in full sun and a bit barren, but has some shrubs to provide shade.
Things to Remember
- Visitors are allowed to take food [for them not for animals] inside the zoo as there is a huge garden right after the entrance dedicated for family picnics.
- There is a cafeteria inside the zoo and Food and drinks are also available at the gate as well.
- Parking can be a hassle especially over the weekends as the zoo gets lots of visitors.
- Please do understand that what might seem like a childish play by throwing food, can cause serious health problems for these animals as they have different and controlled dietary patterns that keep them healthy for the viewers’ pleasure.
