The opening date of USD272mn (AED1bn) Dubai Safari Park has been pushed back as the municipality adheres to an “animal protocol”, according to Hussain Nasser, Dubai Municipality’s General Director. The safari, which covers an area of 119 hectares in the Al-Warqa Fifth district, was scheduled to open last year, but a confirmed date of opening has yet to be announced, expected within three months, according to Nasser. It will be home to 1,000 animal species, of which over 350 are rare and endangered. Animals are brought blindfolded and are released over stages, in order to adapt to the new environment, which is causing some delay. The safari, which replaces the existing zoo in Jumeirah, has been constructed on a former construction waste landfill that was levelled and reclaimed to provide a suitable site. (Arabian Business)