Yoshita Rao discovers an indoor sanctuary filled with reptiles, piranhas and mammals of all sizes quite snug inside Dubai’s Green Planet
A vertical, four storey sanctuary, covering a vast number of ecosystems in Dubai, replicates the rainforest. The Green Planet – founded in 2016 – has an ever increasing number of plant and animal species. Reptiles fish and mammals, both nocturnal and arboreal, all live in harmony under one man-made tree that has artificial weaver bird nests converted into speakers that simulate the sounds of the jungle.
1. Many species, one home
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The systematically distributed sanctuary is divided into sub-ecosystems on each floor. It is further divided into categories like 'the canopy', where the bat cave lies; 'the midstory', home to the emerald tree boa snake; 'forest floor', a place for the sugar gliders; and 'flooded rainforest', for the fishes.
2. Haven under water
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Visitors are encouraged to begin viewing from the top floor, home to a number of bird species, and make their way to the ground floor, which has a dome-shaped, freshwater fish tank filled with 1,000 piranhas. The tank also holds Pacu, a distant relative of the piranha, and red-tailed catfish, all of which can be found in Amazonian freshwater bodies.
3. 'Indoor tropics'
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“Our plants and animals are ever increasing and new habitats are being built everyday,” says Sara Stevens, curator of the sanctuary. “The Green Planet is a zoological facility and an indoor tropical temperature and humidity controlled biodome. We realised the best way to educate people in the middle of the desert about the importance of tropical environments would be for them to experience it,” she adds. Yet, the organisers say the footfall varies as it does for many tourist attractions in Dubai.
4. A simulated experience
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The temperature and humidity controlled environment is open 365 days of the year and has recently launched its newest project: The Australian Walkabout, which has wallabies and bearded dragons from the Land Down Under.
5. Handle with care
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The attendants, who start their day bright and early, are wary of every animal's needs, including a few who regularly make time to pet the cockroaches behind glass casings. “We do not spray any pesticides so you will also see cockroaches running around,” says one of the attendants in the bat enclosure.
6. The team
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The Biologist team here is made up of animal care specialists, who all have “varying backgrounds related to animal husbandry and training,” says Stevens. “Our team’s morning always starts with a visual inspection of every animal habitat, both in the biome and our animal care areas to make sure everyone is awake and doing well.”
7. All in a day's work
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Preparing and distributing food and water to every animal, cleaning their exhibits and conducting detailed physical checks to assess the health of each animal then follows. “This can even involve scuba diving for cleaning our freshwater river tank and feeding the fish,” Stevens laughs, and adds that the entire routine is repeated in the evening to make sure all the animals have fresh food, water, a secure and clean habitat and are ready to go to sleep.
