Addis Ababa to build new Lion Park

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ENA) – The Addis Ababa City Administration and the Defense Construction Enterprise signed agreement for the construction of Lion Park amounting to 30 million birr here on Monday.

Following the construction of the new park, formerly known as Anbessa Gibi, the Lion Park at Sidist Kilo, will move to the new site Peacock Park around Bole area.

Lion Park manager, Muhidin Abdualziz on the occasion said established in 1940, the 1.2 hectare of Lion Park was very narrow and has been hosting ten lion species.

Owing to the size of the park lions had not been giving birth and the revenue generate from the park was minimal, he said.

However, he said the new park would help increase the number of lions and hopefully increase the revenue.

He said the park has collected more than one million birr over the last nine months which is far down to the expense of the park.

Addis Ababa City Mayor Office Deputy Head Wondimagegn Tessema on his part said the new park would also help breed the lions and generate considerable income.

He said the city administration would cover the construction cost of the park.

City Administration Infrastructure advisor, Feleke Yimer on his part said the City Zoo Master Plan has been designed in collaboration with the German Zoo Architect at a cost of 475 million birr.

The Zoo Master Plan would consider the ecology and geography zones of the city.

The new park which covers 26 hectares would be constructed in four phases.

Residents who were in the site of Lion Park have been evacuated to start the construction, he said.

Defense Construction Enterprise, General Manager Woliday Haile on his part said his enterprise would finish the Lion Park as per the agreement.