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Marrakech – The Ain Sebaa Zoo officially reopened its doors to the public on Monday following an extensive rehabilitation project that transformed the historic Casablanca site.
Mayor Nabila Rmili presided over the inauguration ceremony, marking the culmination of years of reconstruction work coordinated between the city council and local authorities.
The renovated facility opens to visitors starting Tuesday, spanning 15 hectares across three thematic zones representing Africa, Asia, and South America.
The redesigned zoo adopts an immersive concept without visible cages, allowing closer interaction between visitors and animals while prioritizing animal welfare.
The park houses an impressive collection of wildlife imported from various European countries.
Notable species include elephants from Switzerland and Belgium, jaguars from the Czech Republic, giraffes from Italy, hyenas from the Netherlands, a tapir from France, and two pygmy hippopotamuses among the world’s rarest species.
The facility also accommodates 13 lions, tigers, and numerous bird species within a large aviary.
Director Mohamed Mgharfaoui confirmed the zoo houses approximately 500 animals representing nearly 100 species.
All specimens were imported from the European Union and bred in captivity, complying with Morocco’s Law 29-05 and the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
The facility operates with varying seasonal schedules to accommodate different weather conditions.
Winter hours run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., extending to 8 p.m. during summer months. During Ramadan, operating hours are adjusted to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Restaurant facilities, kiosks, and cafeterias remain open throughout operational hours.
Ticket pricing offers multiple options for different visitor categories. Family packages include MAD 160 ($16) for two adults and one child, or MAD 200 ($20) for two adults and two children.
Individual family tickets cost MAD 60 ($6) for adults and MAD 40 ($4) for children. Non-family individual tickets are priced at MAD 80 ($8) for adults and MAD 50 ($5) for children.
Special rates apply to specific groups, with student tickets at MAD 50 ($5), reduced mobility visitors at MAD 30 ($3), and school groups at MAD 40 ($4) per student. The facility can accommodate up to 6,000 daily visitors, targeting approximately one million annual visitors.
An addition to Casablanca’s recreational infrastructure
Beyond animal exhibits, the zoo features comprehensive amenities including a restaurant overlooking the African savanna, an animal-themed gift shop, and various food service points. Educational workshops, recreational activities, and birthday party services are available for children.
Future developments include a 16-ride amusement park scheduled for March and a Wild Immersion virtual reality experience launching within two to three months. The VR installation will provide interactive educational experiences exploring different ecosystems and species.
General Curator Pierre-Marie Beaugé noted the project’s significance, referencing the zoo’s reopening after nearly 100 years since its original establishment during the protectorate period.
The renovation focused on creating enclosures that promote natural animal behavior and expression while meeting contemporary welfare standards.
The rehabilitation project addressed infrastructure improvements, animal space reorganization, safety and hygiene standard upgrades, landscaping development, and public facility modernization.
These improvements ensure better living conditions for animals and improved visitor experiences.
The reopened zoo serves the residents of Ain Sebaa, Hay Mohammadi, and Sidi Bernoussi neighborhoods, areas previously lacking recreational spaces due to industrial proximity.
The facility aims to provide accessible family entertainment while fulfilling educational and environmental missions long absent from Casablanca’s landscape.
Officials position the project as a major addition to Casablanca’s recreational infrastructure, bringing together wildlife discovery, family entertainment, and environmental education in the heart of the city.
Strategically located within Casablanca’s urban core, the zoo’s scale and capacity position it as a flagship tourist attraction for both local residents and visitors to Morocco’s economic capital.
