Riyadh Zoo returns with new interactive experiences as part of Riyadh Season

Several rare and endangered animals have been born so far at the site, and the zoo also witnessed the Gulf’s first animal birth by cesarean section. (Supplied)
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Updated 15 November 2024
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Riyadh Zoo returns with new interactive experiences as part of Riyadh Season

  • Entry is free for all, visitors can book tickets through the webook platform

RIYADH: Home to more than 1,400 animals from 190 species, Riyadh Zoo is back for its third year as part of Riyadh Season, offering visitors of all ages new interactive and educational experiences.

Beginning Oct. 30, the zoo opened its doors to the public free of charge. Visitors can book tickets through the webook platform and explore a variety of animals in natural habitats that mimic their original environments.




Riyadh Zoo operate daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and spans 161,000 square meters. (Supplied)

Among the new experiences is “Croc Cave,” where guests can safely observe crocodiles from secure platforms. The “Bird Zone” features a range of exotic birds, allowing visitors to engage with them up close and even feed them. Another highlight is the “Kangaroo Yard,” where guests can interact with and take photos of the famous Australian animals.

A new bird show has also been introduced, where trained birds perform entertaining and skilful tricks and routines, delighting the audience. The zoo’s educational offerings have been enhanced with an interactive farm experience, allowing visitors to learn more about nature and animal life through hands-on activities.

Riyadh Zoo operate daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and spans 161,000 square meters. The venue also includes food stalls and mobile food trucks to cater to visitors throughout the day.




Several rare and endangered animals have been born so far at the site, and the zoo also witnessed the Gulf’s first animal birth by cesarean section. (Supplied)

Located in Al-Malaz neighborhood, it is one of the key attractions of Riyadh Season.

Seung-Min shin, a frequent visitor at the zoo, told Arab News she had taken her son who was deeply interested in the animals’ various behaviors.

“The flying birds and the absence of cages for each animal — where we can go inside and touch them — that’s the beauty here,” she added.

Visitor Fatima Hashim, emphasized the educational value for young visitors on offer, saying: “Seeing animals in real life helps children learn about animals, their nature, habitats, and the different types of mammals and birds. The experience was wonderful … the staff at the zoo focused on teaching children how to feed the animals, helping them have the full experience.”

According to Riyadh Zoo’s website, several rare and endangered animals have been born so far at the site, and the zoo also witnessed the Gulf’s first animal birth by cesarean section.

Riyadh Zoo’s layout includes zones designed to accommodate visitors with disabilities, with fewer stairs and more flat surfaces, allowing everyone to explore the park with ease and enjoy a complete experience.

Riyadh Zoo was originally established in 1957 as a private menagerie for King Saud and the Saudi royal family. It opened to the public in 1987.

 


Where We Are Going Today: ‘Crome London’ Cafe in Riyadh

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Where We Are Going Today: ‘Crome London’ Cafe in Riyadh

  • Crome London offers a variety of French toast options, including the berry best, maple syrup, chocoholic, and lotus and banana

Nestled in Riyadh Park Mall, Crome London is a charming cafe offering great food and a stunning rooftop view of the Kingdom’s capital.

Having visited a couple of times, I’ve had the opportunity to explore their menu and experience the inviting atmosphere.

I’ve enjoyed several dishes during my visits, starting with the freddo cappuccino, which was fantastic. The Nutella croissant was equally delightful — rich and indulgent. The prices were reasonable for the quality.

On another occasion, I tried the red velvet French toast, which was delicious with just the right amount of sweetness.

The green tea and flat white I ordered were decent, though I found them a bit overpriced compared to other options.

One standout feature of this cafe is the food presentation; each dish is served with an artistic touch, making it Instagram-worthy.

I also sampled their tiramisu, honey cakes, and latte. The tiramisu was classic and creamy, while the honey cakes were light and flavorful. The latte was perfectly smooth and frothy.

Crome London also offers a variety of French toast options, including the berry best, maple syrup, chocoholic, and lotus and banana.

They also serve brunch items like Benedict French toast and smashed avocado French toast, along with fried chicken and sweet brioche.

However, my experience was not without its drawbacks. On one visit, I waited for half an hour without anyone checking on me, which was disappointing. Given the cafe’s welcoming atmosphere, I expected better service.

 


Drama therapy workshop in Jeddah explores healing power of expression

Psychologist Lujain Faqerah and actor Abdul Al-Shareef, center, with attendees at the drama therapy workshop in Jeddah.
Updated 2 min 41 sec ago
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Drama therapy workshop in Jeddah explores healing power of expression

  • Faqerah told Arab News: “Drama is integrated naturally in our daily responses and situations

JEDDAH: A drama therapy workshop was recently organized under the theme: “In drama we find the power to express, and in expression we find the power to heal,” at Cinema Al-Balad in Jeddah.

Led by Lujain Faqerah, senior psychologist and creative arts supervisor, in collaboration with actor and screenwriter Abdul Al-Shareef, the workshop explored the use of drama therapy in daily life and creative work.

Participants, including therapists, creatives, and others, learned how drama can support emotional awareness, healing, and connection.

The workshop showed how drama-based therapeutic techniques can help people access unconscious behaviors, foster self-expression, and improve creative practices such as screenwriting and acting.

Faqerah told Arab News: “Drama is integrated naturally in our daily responses and situations. In a therapeutic setting, it helps us observe these interactions and reflect on a deeper level of our unconscious body gestures and movements that might reveal a lot about our personalities.”

She made it clear that drama therapy is not about performing but about expressing what lies beneath — emotions, memories, or internal conflicts.

Faqerah said: “The word drama has a negative connotation to the extent that people reject it before trying. Drama therapy does not depend on acting skills or previous experience, but more on your self-expression and the challenges you experience.”

Her discovery of drama therapy was transformative. “It surprised me with the appearance of a hidden part of me that is more bold and confident. When this part emerged and I saw the benefits myself, I started incorporating it in my profession.”

Al-Shareef brought a creative perspective as an actor and screenwriter new to drama therapy but interested in its techniques.

“As an actor and a writer, I found this experiment with drama supervision and therapy fascinating. It’s a tool that I am willing to explore and learn more about to enhance my life and practice,” he said.

“Some people may think drama therapy is exclusively for artists, but it’s not. The techniques can be integrated into everyday routines, varying from person to person depending on their challenges.”

 


Saudi Arabia hosts relatives of Palestinian prisoners and martyrs for Hajj pilgrimage

Updated 12 min 23 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia hosts relatives of Palestinian prisoners and martyrs for Hajj pilgrimage

  • Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance received 500 pilgrims from Gaza on Monday
  • Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program has hosted thousands of Hajj, Umrah pilgrims since establishment in 1996

MAKKAH: Hundreds of relatives of Palestinian political prisoners and martyrs who have died in the conflict with Israel have arrived to perform Hajj as part of Saudi Arabia’s Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance received 500 pilgrims from Gaza on Monday, bringing the number of those performing Hajj and arriving from Palestine to 1,000.

Palestinian pilgrims arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and were later hosted in the program’s special accommodation in the holy city of Makkah. They praised Saudi Arabia and its leadership for serving Muslims and the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program has hosted thousands of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims since its establishment in 1996.

The program this year is set to host 2,443 Hajj pilgrims from 100 countries. They started arriving in the Kingdom in May.


Saudi Arabia’s KAUST study finds gall crabs use fluorescence to blend into coral homes

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Saudi Arabia’s KAUST study finds gall crabs use fluorescence to blend into coral homes

  • Marine scientists discover fluorescence as a camouflage strategy in coral-symbiotic crabs

JEDDAH: Marine researchers from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have discovered that gall crabs use highly evolved fluorescence to help conceal themselves within coral hideouts.

Susanne Bahr, a KAUST marine science doctoral student, observed that gall crabs fluoresce during night dives, according to a recent report.

Bahr said: “I had been working with these crabs for some time, so this observation was intriguing. I started reading about fluorescence.

Bahr and colleagues collected 286 gall crabs from 14 genera, sampling from all known host coral genera in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. (Supplied)

“It’s well-studied in reef fish, which have many functions, but less is known about fluorescence in crustaceans. Crabs and shrimps are very diverse, so I wondered if similar patterns occur in crustaceans as in fish.”

Bahr and colleagues collected 286 gall crabs from 14 genera, sampling from all known host coral genera in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.

They developed an imaging technique to identify which parts of the crabs fluoresced and how much. They also performed a morphological analysis and built an evolutionary tree based on genomic sequencing.

Gall crabs do more than just live among corals: they have a strong symbiotic relationship. Some invertebrates hide in coral branches and crevices, but for gall crabs, the connection is deeper, the report said.

The researchers suggest that fluorescence evolved in various gall crab species to help camouflage them in their coral dwellings. Different species inhabit different coral structures — such as open tunnels or enclosed galls — and their fluorescence patterns influence their visibility.

Bahr gave an example of a species living in cylindrical coral pits. “The back of the crab sticks out slightly. Its fluorescence pattern disrupts its outline, disguising its shape.”

Francesca Benzoni, Bahr’s supervisor at KAUST, emphasized the importance of understanding coral reef ecosystems. “Gall crabs are among many invertebrates living with corals on tropical reefs,” she said.

Benzoni added: “Much remains to be discovered about cryptic and poorly studied reef invertebrates, their biology, ecological role, and their contribution to coral reef resilience in the Red Sea and worldwide.”

Bahr said: “I want my research to highlight the importance of coral-associated invertebrates and their role in coral reef ecosystems.”

“They are often overlooked, and we need to understand their abundance, reasons for presence, and their role in reef persistence and resilience.”

 


First phase of historic Sheikh’s Fortress renovation completed in Rijal Almaa

Updated 20 min 26 sec ago
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First phase of historic Sheikh’s Fortress renovation completed in Rijal Almaa

  • Sheikh’s Fortress is one of three heritage sites receiving emergency repairs through a collaboration between Soudah Development and the Tourist Villages Cooperative Society of Rijal Almaa, under a deal signed last year

RIYADH: The first phase of renovating the historic Sheikh’s Fortress site in Rijal Almaa was recently completed by Soudah Development, a Public Investment Fund company.

It is one of the heritage sites in Jareen, one of six development zones within the Soudah Peaks project, according to a report.

Sheikh’s Fortress is one of three heritage sites receiving emergency repairs through a collaboration between Soudah Development and the Tourist Villages Cooperative Society of Rijal Almaa, under a deal signed last year.

The emergency restorations process of the Fortress is a partnership between the investment fund company and the Tourist Villages Cooperative Society of Rijal Almaa. (Supplied)

The collaboration includes emergency repairs of Sheikh’s Fortress, Bee House and Hamidiyah Fortress, the report said.

It is part of broader efforts by Soudah Development to preserve and protect architectural and cultural heritage within the Soudah Peaks project area, which includes about 300 historical and cultural sites.

The goal is to provide exceptional experiences for tourists and residents, create job opportunities, and boost the regional and national economy.

With the first phase of repairs complete, Sheikh’s Fortress will symbolize the region’s rich architectural, cultural and historical identity, and help promote local heritage.

Soudah Peaks will be a luxury mountain destination inspired by local architectural identity. The project includes six distinctive zones: Tahlal, Sahab, Sabrah, Jareen, Rijal and Red Rock.

It will offer luxury tourism, hospitality and residential experiences, and is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs while generating long-term economic impact for the region and the Kingdom.