PANDA HOUSE ENCLOSURE AND TOURISTIC VIEWING FACILITY IN AL KHOR ZOO
We gladly announce that the ΜΑΤ Zoological Operations Team, has been awarded the project “Panda Enclosure and Touristic Viewing Facility in Al Khor Zoo” as the Zoological Specialists. The Panda House is a project by ASHGHAL of the State of Qatar that takes place at Al Khor. The main contractor is GET (Generic Engineering Technologies) and DAR Engineering the lead designer.
Since 2019, MAT specialized team has been in collaboration with all stakeholders from both Qatari and Chinese parties in order to design and build up the best and largest habitat for the welfare of the two Giant Pandas which have arrived in October 2022 in Qatar.
WELCOMING THE GIANT PANDAS AND THE CHINESE AUTHOTITIES TO QATAR.
On October 18 we welcome the arrival of two giant pandas and the Chinese authorities in Qatar. The pandas Jing Jing and Si Hai were sent from the people’s Republic of China to the State of Qatar to strengthen the friendship between both countries and arrived at Hamad International Airport early in the morning. The pandas were received by the MAT Doha Zoological Team on the tarmac and was transported by road to their new enclosure in Al Khor.
An opening ceremony attended by Mr. Mohammed Al Khoori, Director of the Public Parks Department from the State of Qatar and H.E. Zhou Jian, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China was held to welcome the national treasures of China in Qatar. High Chinese officials of the National Forest and Grassland Administration, the China Wildlife and Conservation Association and the China Center for the Research and Conservation of Giant Pandas also attended the ceremony.
THE 2 GIANT PANDAS
Jing Jing which means ‘shiny crystal’ In Chinese is the male panda and was born on 19 September 2019. Jing Jing also received the Arabic name ’Suhail’ which means star in the sky. Si Hai which means ‘four seas’ In Chinese is the female panda. She was born on 26 July 2019. Her Arabic name is ‘Thuraya’ which is a bright cluster of stars. The Emiri Diwan approved both Arabic names as they have great meaning in Qatari culture.
THE PANDA HOUSE
For this great occasion, a brand new state-of-the art panda complex was built in Al Khor, just outside of Doha. MAT filtration technologies was involved in the development and construction of the panda house.
MAT Zoological Operations’ scope in this landmark project was the creation of the concept design and to provide zoological consultation, including all the details about the enclosure like, indoor and outdoor panda exhibits. The enclosure has swimming ponds, many play platforms, interactive landscapes as well as panda hospital and nursery facilities. Everything’s related to Pandas is prepared by our panda experts in compliance with the international standards and regulations of the Chinese authorities, Qatar and WAZA.
PANDA HOUSE SCOPE OF WORK
- MAT covered the Zoological design to the international standards that assures welfare of the pandas
- – biggest enclosure in the world
- – first of its type temperature controlled enclosure
- MAT took care of all zoological design aspects
- and confirmed the design of the facility itself
ZOOLOGICAL OPERATIONS IN AL KHOR PARK
Our Zoological Operations Team was directly responsible for the most important part of the enclosure: the panda living quarters. Experienced MAT staff designed the back stages, panda gardens, the veterinary hospital and the panda nursery. As a world leader in aquatic life support systems, MAT Filtration technologies also developed and constructed two big panda pools with the newest generation of water filtration. The filtration system of the facility is a custom built tailored made for the needs of these unique animals.
The Zoological team of MAT runs the zoological operations for the giant panda enclosure in Al Khor. An experienced world-class team with many years of giant panda experience was contracted to look after the daily welfare of the pandas. The MAT team will be responsible for all panda-related matters including panda medical training, enrichment, feeding and veterinary care. Weekly the team imports 1000 kg of bamboo from China to provide in the dietary needs of the giant pandas. The team also bakes the secretive ‘panda cake’, the favorite food of giant pandas, following an ancient Chinese recipe.
A MUST VISIT IN QATAR DURING THE FIFA WORLD CUP AND ALL THE TIME
When visiting Qatar, you cannot miss a visit to the first two giant pandas in the Middle East in the best panda enclosure of the world as it was described by the Chinese panda specialists during their last visit.
After their quarantine period will be over, the panda enclosure will be open for the public in time for the FIFA World Cup to be held in November 2022.
The opening ceremony has been scheduled for the 17th of November 2022, Don’t miss the opportunity to be there!
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