Al Ain Zoo

Al Ain Zoo (حَدِيْقَة ٱلْحَيْوَانَات بِٱلْعَيْن), also "Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort" [1] or simply "Al Ain Wildlife Park" (مُتَنَزَّه ٱلْعَيْن لِلْحَيَاة ٱلْبَرِيَّة),[3] is a 400 ha zoo located in the foothills of Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. It is primarily composed of ungulates and herbivores, such as Arabian antelopes. It also holds oryx, eland, gazelle, and lechwe, as well as the rare white lion and Nubian giraffe.

History and fauna


The zoo was founded in 1968 by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates, out of concern for the land's wildlife, particularly ungulates such as the Arabian oryx.

The zoo features a big cat house containing lions, mountain lions, jaguars, [3 black panthers, leopards, and cheetahs. In addition, it has a reptile house, monkey compounds, an aquarium, and an aviary. From February 2010 until July 2010, the Al Ain Zoo hosted the "Dinosaur Trail," a small section that includes around 15 to 20 mechanical dinosaurs with sensors, such as Tyrannosaurus rex. It includes information about the dinosaur, such as when they lived, where in the present world they would have been found, their height, and their diet.

In April 2019 [4], the zoo prepared to expand with work on its perimeters in order to build new sites such as the conservation and breeding center, African Safari, World Desert Zoo, and the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre. [5]

In March 2022, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums released a position statement regarding the intention of WAZA member Al Ain Zoo to import wild African elephants from Namibia. The WAZA Code of Ethics acknowledges that, from time to time, acquisitions from the wild are necessary based on a legitimate need for conservation breeding programs, education programs, or basic biological studies. However, in the case of Al Ain Zoo's intention to import wild African elephants from Namibia, WAZA has examined the information provided by this zoological institution and others and has not been able to determine whether the requirements of WAZA's Code of Ethics are met. As a result, Al Ain Zoo is no longer a WAZA member.

On September 15, 2022, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) announced the termination of the membership of Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates. The zoo’s membership ended on December 31, 2022, following the decision of the EAZA Council that EAZA can no longer reasonably be expected to allow the institution to remain a member. The decision comes after careful examination of evidence related to importing wild-caught African elephants from Namibia, which the Council agreed constituted multiple breaches of EAZA Codes and Standards.

Al Ain Zoo has implemented a sustainability initiative by cultivating 211.2 tons of plant-based food annually in a dedicated nursery. The zoo grows various local and non-local plant species like Sidr, Ghaf, Hibiscus, and others to ensure a steady food supply for its animals.