Doha Zoo

Doha Zoological Garden حديقة حيوان الدوحة
Doha Zoo in 2006
Date opened	February 1984
Date closed	2013
Land area	75 hectares (185.3 acres)
Annual visitors	None (closed)
Major exhibits	Zoo, aviary, cave

The Doha Zoo was a Zoological garden established in Qatar in February 1984. It was closed in 2012 for renovations, with a scheduled reopening in 2017, but as of 2025, its status remains unknown.

In 2023, Doha Zoo and Al Khor Park Zoo recorded 265 new animal births among various species.

Doha Zoo was going to be opened as a safari park in 2017, known as the Doha Safari Park, which includes hotels, and 3 different world areas like the South American Rainforest, Asian Woodland and the African Safari. This involved demolition of Doha Zoo’s old buildings and space to make way for new buildings. But as of May 2025, the old zoo’s buildings remain untouched.

Doha Zoo's concept began in 1973 as a way of 'introducing a new entertainment area in Qatar', as in the 70s, there wasn't much entertainment in Qatar. Some conceptual ideas included a lagoon at the zoo's center featuring waterbirds, which are under a shady protective roof. As a result, it took decades for Doha Zoo's construction to be completed. Finally, the zoo, after years of concepts and construction, opened to the public in February 1984, as Qatar's first zoo.

After the zoo’s closure, while some animals remained in their old cages, others were moved to Rawdat Al Faras, or the Al Khor Park, which was opened a year before Doha Zoo.

The zoo planned to reopen after a decade-long lockdown in fiscal year 2024, but plans changed due to relocation challenges of the animals.

Doha Zoo, when it was first closed, was revealed that 4-5 giraffes from the zoo were still there, and they could be seen outside.

Doha Zoo, to prove that it was officially closed, set up an “off limits” sign at previous entrance sign’s location. The signs said, “Visitors are not allowed, zoo is closed”, showing how no visitors are allowed due to the ongoing construction and renovations at the zoo. When the zoo is open, the sign says, “DOHA ZOO”.

Doha Zoo has a collection of animals, such as the slow loris, Senegal Bushbaby(galagos), lions, tigers, monitor lizards, vultures, Asian Elephants, zebras, Giraffes, Kingsnakes and other animals.

In 2024, the Doha Zoo was planned to reopen for the fiscal year as a regular zoo, with some animals still in their cages. However, as of May 2025, the zoo’s status is uncertain.

Doha Zoo was accessible through Muhairqa Street(Al Aziziya), Al Furousiya Street(formerly named Equestrian Street), Al Waab Street and Al Rufaa Al Jadeed Street.

Doha Zoo closed due to complaints about outdated facilities, treatment of animals and a small size(4 hectares).

There was meant to be a facility that would keep animals during the zoo’s demolition and rebuilding, but it never materialized, therefore why animals had to be relocated to alternate facilities such as Al Khor Zoo and Rawdat Al Faras, and some remained in the old zoo.

Staff accommodations were built to accommodate residential staff during the zoo’s maintenance.

In 2021, Doha Zoo welcomed its first African Elephant, which resides in the old Asian Elephant enclosure. A green fence has been added to this area.

In April 2025, the elephant was seen in its enclosure(which is still in the same form, just has a green fence). And in March 31st 2025, 4 zebras were seen in the zoo.