Financial Dispute Delays Opening of Casablanca’s New Zoo

The Aïn Sebaâ zoo will not open its doors anytime soon due to a financial dispute between the Casablanca municipality and the "Dream Village" company, which obtained the management contract for the park on March 19. The company has asked the municipality to pay an amount between 30 and 40 million dirhams as annual support to cover its potential losses. This is justified by the lack of a significant influx of daily visitors, as people will only visit the zoo during vacations and weekends.

While this request from the delegated manager has caused discontent, the Casablanca authorities are examining the issue to find solutions, reports the site Al3omk citing responsible sources within the Casablanca municipality. In the eyes of the municipality, the amount requested by "Dream Village" to cover the potential losses is very high.

The Aïn Sebaâ zoo is built on an area of 13 hectares, of which 10 hectares are reserved for animals and 3 hectares for leisure facilities. The park houses 45 animal species. The renovation of the zoo is one of the major projects signed in the presence of King Mohammed VI in 2014. A renovation project aimed at preserving this historical heritage of the city of Casablanca while offering visitors a modern and educational experience. The entrance fee to the zoo has been set at 50 dirhams for adults and 25 dirhams for children. Reduced rates are planned for school groups and families.