HIGHLIGHTS:
* Opening date: Sunday, February 16
* Timings: Saturday to Thursday - from 8am to 11pm; and Friday - from 2pm to 11pm
* On Tuesdays, entry is only for women and children
* Entry fee: QR15 for adults and QR10 for children up to 10 years
* Train ride fee: QR5
* 315 animals of 49 species, including 290 new ones
* 42 species of trees, shrubs and plants
* Train can accommodate 60 passengers
* 700 parking spaces; 13 parking spaces for differently-abled persons
* A large restaurant with three covered halls and an outdoor hall
* Two cafeterias
* Number of visitors expected to reach about 500,000 annually
ANIMAL/BIRD ATTRACTIONS
* Rhinoceros barn
* Crocodile lake
* Giraffe section
* Bear barn
* Predatory cat section
* Monkey section
* Birds section
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The development and maintenance works were carried out over a period of 100 days at a cost of QR32mn, according to a statement by the ministry on Thursday.
The works were implemented under the supervision of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and followed up by the MME's Public Parks Department.
Al Khor Family Park is considered one of the largest and most important such parks in Qatar.
The development works included expansion of the zoo within the park and the addition of different sections and animals, while providing the highest safety and security standards for visitors so that the park becomes a major recreational destination, the statement said, adding that the park has 315 animals of 49 species, including 290 new ones.
The number of visitors at the park is expected to reach about 500,000 annually following the opening of the expanded zoo, the MME said.
Seven new sections have been developed within the zoo and a large number of animals and birds have been brought in. Also, exclusive pathways have been provided for differently-abled persons.
The park has green areas, waterfalls, fountains and large trees. It also has environmental and entertainment sections as well as a lecture hall, in addition to a playground in the entertainment area and an artificial lake surrounded by a large numbers of trees, perennial plants and seasonal flowers.
In total, the park has 42 species of trees, shrubs and plants.
Another key attraction at the park is the train, which can accommodate 60 passengers and passes through three designated stations as well as tunnels featuring murals.
A lecture hall, a games zone, an amphitheatre with a capacity of 400 and a museum with an exhibition hall are also available at the park. These are in addition to a restaurant, cafeterias and two fully covered children's play areas spread over 4,000sqm, an outdoor sports area and a surfboard.
The park features a large restaurant with three covered halls and an outdoor hall, two cafeterias, six public toilets, 700 parking spaces, 13 parking spaces for differently-abled persons and six bus stops. Besides, it has a mosque that can accommodate 360 people and 12 water coolers.
The entry fee is set at QR15 for adults and QR10 for children up to the age of 10 years, while QR5 is the fee for the train ride.
The fees will help strengthen efforts to further develop and improve the facilities and services at the park, and preserve them in line with the best international standards, the statement points out.
The MME has invited people to visit the park and urged them to follow the directions provided, help the authorities preserve the park and its facilities, and not to damage the plants and trees.
Animals at the zoo include the Asian bear, African lion, Royal Bengal tiger, white tiger, jaguar, cheetah, chimpanzee, baboon, vervet monkey, capuchin monkey, crocodile, giraffe, rhinoceros, Asian cat and wild cat.
Birds include macaw, African Casco, lovebird, Indian parrot, flamingo, ibis, white geese, white duck, Ethiopian chicken and Indian peacock.