Going to the zoo, zoo, zoo ...

Single men throng Doha Zoo Thursday, October 02, 2008
Web posted at: 10/2/2008 1:29:38
Source ::: The Peninsula/ By Nasser Al Harthy

Hundreds of single men thronged Doha Zoo on the first day of Eid as the city's popular landmarks such as the Corniche, Al Rumeillah and Al Bida parks as well as some shopping malls were strictly reserved for families.

As one would have expected, the zoo being one of rare spots open to people of all creed and gender proved to the favoured destination of single men who nowhere else to go and unwind.
Hundreds of people formed a beeline in front of the zoo and the surrounding area, hours before the gates opened. It is estimated that some 7,000 people visited the zoo on the first day of Eid with law enforcement personnel trying their best to maintain order and discipline.
The zoo is open from 2pm to 8pm throughout Eid holidays, but single men were only allowed to enter the zoo the first two days of Eid. Starting from today, the third day of celebrations, access to the zoo will be exclusively reserved for families.

Hamad Al Yazeidi, the zoo's director who was on hand to receive visitors, said he was pleased with the growing popularity of the zoo which has continued to be a magnet for the public at large over the last couple of years.

Al Yazeidi said the authorities had conducted, well ahead of Eid celebrations, a comprehensive evaluation to fix some lapses in the functioning of the park and improve the services offered.
A total of six gates for ticket sales were set up with four dedicated to families.
A large playground was demarcated especially for children where they could enjoy a variety of games and entertainments and horse rides during the days dedicated to families.
Social groups such as Qatar Diabetes Association and the Social Development Centre are also playing their part in the festivities at the park with a series of awareness campaigns on their activities so as to meet and address the largest number of visitors as possible.
Meanwhile, Doha Zoo is planning major expansion worth QR 25m with the opening of a veterinary complex to serve the park by the end of this year and an information centre that would acquaint visitors especially school children with the park's activities.
Besides, the zoo is intending to introduce several world class games soon ahead of the festivities to be held during Eid Al Adha.