Founded in 1968 by the late Sheikh Zayed, the Father of our nation, Al Ain Zoo is a true family destination, providing entertainment and learning experiences in a natural outdoor environment. Today, visitors of all ages discover the zoo's wildlife and enjoy a great day out packed with fun and adventure, and explore our large animal collection of over 4000 animals. Since its founding, Al Ain Zoo has been a centre for endangered species conservation, most notably the successful breeding of desert antelopes and gazelles, such as the endangered Arabian Oryx. Al Ain Safari
Magnificently positioned against the imposing backdrop of Jebel Hafeet, and a majestic finger-like extension of the rugged Hajar Mountains, the ground-breaking Al Ain Safari is being masterfully crafted out of the desert environment to incorporate its pristine surrounds. The Al Ain Safari is a journey of natural discovery that captivates the imagination of its visitors, both young and old. The sheer diversity of animals present is virtually unparalleled, presenting guests with a unique opportunity to view Africa’s foremost species in a largely unchecked environment that closely resembles a wild safari area in Africa. Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre
The Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre is an important educational facility combining knowledge and learning through interactive exhibits, multimedia and visual materials that are specially designed for this centre by world-class experts and specialists. The UAE cultural guides that have been trained over the past years to provide a unique experience for visitors are one of the most important components of this experience to ensure providing a true picture of the of the United Arab Emirates natural environment. During the guided tours, visitors will move on a journey through time as stories and movies take them to the past, present and future of the UAE, to reconsider their relationship with the environment and encourage them to communicate with it and to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. Conservation At Al Ain Zoo
In Al Ain Zoo, we are committed to our strategic plan, which entails establishing an effective programme for the conservation and preservation of wildlife. The mission of the programme is to build specialised capacities within research projects, following international best practices to address the endangerment of animals in desert environments. Our programme focuses more on the conservation of species living in arid lands, starting with the Arab region of the Arabian Peninsula and the northeast of Africa. External activities: Providing beneficial breeding conditions for threatened species in animal communities to ensure sustainability.
2. Wildlife rehabilitation: This entails taking animals in from the prairies to protect them from being hunted- such as the endangered Arabian Oryx- and then rehabilitating them to return to the wild after breeding. Our Zoo plans to return the Oryx to its native home in Africa. It is categorically extinct, in the wild, while we have bred more than 200 Oryx in the zoo.
3. Internal research and species conservation programmes: We pride ourselves in being an essential supporter of a particular conservation programme, to cultivate and conserve one of the world's rarest animals, the "Hirola" antelope, in cooperation with the Kenyan Northern Rangelands Trust.
4. Genetics Study Programme: This programme aims to confirm the identity of animals and their genetic classification, through genetic testing to establish a comprehensive identity and value of animal collection in the zoo in general.
5. Studying biodiversity within the zoo: We are currently studying the native, authentic and wild species in our zoo, to raise public awareness of the UAE's local environment and its wildlife.
