Opened in 1968 at the foot of the Jebel Hafeet Mountains the Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium has now expanded into a facility spread over 400 hectares with an extensive collection of over 4,000 animals from 184 species that includes 2,500 mammals, 1,200 birds and 600 reptiles. The zoo also has its own research facilities and a much lauded conservation and breeding program for African Antelopes. Developed as a family destination the zoo endeavours to provide an edutainment experience for all age groups in a natural setting.
Visitors can view a range of animals in their natural habitats going about their business. The African Mixed Exhibit is where rare Nubian giraffe intermingle with zebra, gemsbok, gazelles, ostrich, wildebeest and rhinoceros in a 5 ha area. The Arabian Oryx and sand gazelles roam around in an enclosure with sand dunes and a shaded water hole. See cute cubs, young males and females of endangered white tigers, cheetah, leopard, endangered white lions and Arabian sand cats, panthers and jaguars lounging in the sun or sitting atop the highest vantage point at the Cat House. Three hundred birds from 35 species make up the Bird House sourced from Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Senegal, Zaire, Sudan, Kenya, coastal Peru, Chile and other places. The Bird Show is an added attraction that shows off the skills of a variety of owls, eagles, falcons and other birds of prey and provides visitors the opportunity to interact with some of them. View a variety of snakes from the large to the small, poisonous and non poisonous, tortoises, lizards and crocodiles at the Reptile House and be enthralled by the antics of groups of primates at the Monkey House. In an enclosed air conditioned walkway insomniacs can get to see what goes on in the zoo at night. In the Nocturnal House visitors can spy on the secret lives of some selected species. Additionally in summer the zoo offers a moonlight experience including a night bird show. Among the several spaces set aside for relaxation is a 2,000 sq meter children’s garden and play area with a vegetable and herb garden and fruit trees. The zoo also offers several interactive experiences such as giraffe feeding and feeding farm animals, peacocks and llamas at the petting zoo. Visitors can attend daily keeper talks to learn more about the lives of the animals they are viewing.
As part of its future plans the zoo has embarked on a program to combine the zoo with a leisure and learning destination termed the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort where visitors can explore the desert, get to know about the lives of zoo inhabitants and also have an extraordinary holiday experience.
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