Jeddah’s new Indoor Zoo has officially opened its doors as part of the Jeddah Calendar festivities, offering a unique opportunity to experience a wide variety of exotic animals, including flamingos, turtles, crocodiles, snakes, raccoons, exotic birds, lemurs, and more.

The animals are housed in a climate-controlled environment, each with its own enclosed area for roaming. Some sections allow visitors to get closer to the animals, while others are strictly off-limits.

Before visiting, it’s essential to familiarize yourself and your children with proper zoo etiquette, to prevent any harm or stress to these beautiful creatures. 

Please remember to show respect and treat these animals well during your visit. They are confined to small enclosures for our entertainment, so it’s our responsibility to minimize any stress they may experience. Most importantly, when taking pictures of the animals, do not use a flash.

Upon entering the zoo, security personnel will confiscate items that could be harmful to the animals, such as vapes and lighters. The first exhibit features flamingos with a refreshing pool for them to enjoy.

As you explore further, you’ll encounter magnificent turtles with intriguing shells. Visitors can enter the turtle’s area and offer them apples or other fruits and vegetables. Make sure children are respectful when feeding the turtles. For example, place the food in front of the turtle on the ground, don’t throw at them.

Next, you can venture into the lemur’s den, where you’ll have the chance to observe these charming creatures up close. Lemurs are friendly and generally safe, but they may become aggressive if provoked. The zookeepers will ensure both your safety and that of the animals. Keep in mind that taking pictures might be challenging, as some lemurs prefer to avoid human interaction by climbing the enclosure.

Continuing on, you’ll enter the Exotica section, where you’ll find an array of incredibly exotic animals, including albino snakes, large lizards, crocodiles, green lizards, and various reptiles. This section is a paradise for reptile enthusiasts. All animals are safely enclosed in glass cages, so please refrain from tapping on the glass to gain their attention. 

Facing this section, you’ll discover the Rabbit Park, where numerous rabbits roam within an artificial green space. Children can enter and interact with them. This area also features a maze-like structure for engaging young minds. Please ensure that your kids do not chase the rabbits, as excessive stress can be harmful to their tiny hearts.

After visiting the rabbits, you’ll reach the bird section, where you can enjoy the vibrant colors and melodies of various bird species, including lovebirds and exotic birds from the Amazon forest. Among the birds, there is a cage with two raccoons. While in this section, avoid hitting the cages, as it can startle the birds and potentially cause harm to them. For the raccoon cage, advise your children not to attempt to touch them, as they are wild animals and can easily bite.

Lastly, the most popular section is the Dog Park, where over 20 dogs of different ages and breeds play with children. These dogs are well-trained and generally friendly, but it’s essential not to bother them, as their behavior can be unpredictable at times.

Enjoy your visit to the Indoor Zoo in Jeddah while respecting the welfare and safety of these remarkable animals.

GENERAL DO’S AND DON’TS

• Don’t Feed the Animals unless allowed by zookeepers. 
• Respect all animals. If animals are hiding or not interacting with visitors, don’t tap on the glass. Let them be.
• Don’t Tease or Harass the Animals
• Don’t Litter
• Respect Signs and Barriers
• If you’re allowed to enter a space and interact with the animals, do it gently. Don’t chase the animals around.
• Do not make loud noises. The animal’s ears are much more sensitive than ours. 
• Don’t Bring Pets with you.
• A major don’t is using a flash when taking pictures.