August 2019
“Nutrition in the animal world are completely different from humans�
Nouf Al Shamsi The Meerkat The curious animal
UPCOMING EVENTS 2019
A free space for the wonders of light and lens, that we leave up to the visitors’ and webpage surfers’ creativity. Share your picture with us, and let it speak for you. Please send the photographs to zoolife@alainzoo.ae
Abu Dhabi 12 AUGUST Eid Al Adha Celebrations Yas Marina, Ferrari world & Yaswaterworld
Until 15 AUGUST Year of Tolerance Exhibition 2019 The Galleria, Al Maryah Island
23 - 24 AUGUST The World Premiere By SIMA Dance Company New York University Abu Dhabi Arts Center
Until 30 AUGUST Neon Nights Yas Waterworld
27 - 31 AUGUST Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition ADNEC
Al Ain It is clear from these views that there is an undesirable guest, because our turtles will not give up their delicious green meal to a bird passing by, or even our visitor who caught this picture at the moment of the outbreak of a battle for food! By: Marino Caccam
11 AUGUST Eid Al Adha Celebrations Al Ain Zoo
28 AUGUST Emirati Women's Day: Art Workshop Al Qattara Arts Centre
2 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019
OUR TEAM
Training and Development Team The Training and Development section is part of the Human Resources Department. It is operated by an integrated team with specialized expertise and skills that enable them to create a training environment rich in different knowledge and technical and behavioral skills. The team is responsible for training and developing the employees in The Zoo & Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain, aiming to improve the employee’s performance and efficiency , enabling them to cope with the changes and challenges in tourism and conservation sectors.
The main activities of the team is to craft development plans in cooperation with all departments after studying the needs of businesses and individuals, and then execute these plans in coordination with the internal and external resources. This is beside of conducting induction programs for new employees and development programs that align with the direction of the organization. It also provides Internship and Volunteering programs to support local communities.
individual development plans to ensure business continuity. The objectives of the sections this year are to contribute with other sections in raising the level of employees’ job satisfaction in the Organization through training and development programs that aligned with the Organization strategic plan. Which include development of technical skills, leadership skills, personal skills and the internal coaching programs.
In addition, the team is working to define the critical positions in the organization and to develop
ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019 | 3
My Story
Nature stories are inspired by nature, the earth and the environment. Caring for the environment is a real cause for happiness. We should take care of nature and should not pollute it.
Aquarium
We get so many advantages from the environment, like fresh air, fresh water, fresh fruits and vegetables etc. which are good for our health.
Written by: Drishti Haresh Jhamnani
If we pollute the environment, it will affect not only our health but the whole universe will be in danger.
One of the winners in the Short Story Writing Competition 2018 Category: 8 - 10 years
Dear friends, today I am going to share with you a real story which my dad shared with me. You have to promise me that we will protect the environment and stop others from polluting it. We should learn good things from the stories. When my father was my age he lived with his extended family and in those days there was no pollution at all. The place where he lived was surrounded by natural
4 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019
places like mountains, rivers, trees, farming areas and big play grounds. He lived in his home of many rooms with uncles, aunties, cousins, etc. His elder brother, who was fond of fish, had his own small aquarium with a few varieties of fish which he collected by fishing in nearby river. My dad used to watch those fish and feed them. He loved to feed the fish and be happy. In our childhood days, our brains are more active and so many ideas and experiments come in our minds. We try to do things without thinking whether there are good or bad consequences. The same thing happened with my dad. He started putting different items in the small aquarium. One day he put small stones in the aquarium. This did not harm the fish and the stones looked beautiful in the cool water. The second time he put some marbles into the aquarium and this too did not harm the fish and enhanced the beauty of the aquarium. The next time he put some grass and different leaves. The green leaves did not harm the fish and the aquarium looked beautiful. My dad made a small paper boat and put it in the aquarium - the boat was floating on top of the water. He enjoyed doings all these activities.
As it happened, a piece of bath soap was kept near the aquarium and my father took the soap and put into the aquarium and he left the room to go and play. After a while the soap started dissolving and spoiled the water. Due to this, the fish started dying. My dad was not aware of these consequences. When his elder brother saw this in the evening, he was very angry and shouted, “Who did this to my fish?� As no-one was around, nobody knew who had put the soap into the aquarium. My dad was silent and was very scared. He was very sad that fish had died and there was no longer an aquarium in his home. He started missing the fish and the moments when he used to feed them. He decided he would never repeat this mistake. He realised the importance of animals and natural beauty in his life. This incident turned his life around. From this moment on, he was very loving and caring towards birds, animals and nature. So friends, I hope you liked the real-life story from the history of my dad. Now join hands with me and promise that we will not harm any animals, birds, sea animals etc., and we will not pollute the environment.
ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019 | 5
the observer
Summer Activities in Shaikh Zayed Desert Learning Center
Summer Activities in Shaikh Zayed Desert Learning Center
6 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019
experiences
Sustainable Theater The Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre includes the Sustainable Theatre, which is located in the “Looking to the Future” exhibition and can host up to 50 persons. Visitors are taken on a 4-minute journey to the future to learn how to preserve the environment and also learn about the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s bright vision for the future.
ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019 | 7
Animal life
THE MEERKAT The curious animal The Meerkat is also known as the suricate, a small carnivorous animal belonging to the mongoose family.
8 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019
Range The meerkat lives in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Angola, especially in the arid regions on the south-west side, adjacent to South Savannah, Karo and Haifald in South Africa. Our Zoo hosts many of these cute animals. Characteristics The meerkat is characterised by its long slim body, limbs, and tail used to balance the upright position. The tips of their fingers has a strong curved claw used to dig burrows and catch preys. The meerkat uses its claws and muscles to climb trees; it also has four toes in each foot, with small stripes on its back from its tail to its shoulders.
Food It feeds primarily on insects and other animals such as lizards, snakes, scorpions, spiders, plants, eggs, small mammals, wormwood, small birds, and fungi. Inhabitation The meerkat group is called a “mob” or “gang” or “clan”, and the clan often consists of 20 meerkats, but sometimes reaches up to 50 or more. This animal fight mice and snakes intelligently and cautiously, and some of them guard and monitor any possible risk by standing on their feet. When any danger is detected, especially from wild birds, the guards of the meerkats make warning sounds to alert its clan, to hide their burrows.
Reproduction The pregnancy duration of the meerkat is about 11 weeks and meerkat babies are born in an underground burrow. It is weaned at 49-63 days old, but do not come above ground until at least 21 days of age. Preservation Meerkats can live up to 12-14 years in captivity and about half that age in the wild.
ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019 | 9
In July 2015, the United Arab Emirates launched the "Sawab Center" in collaboration with the United States of America. It is an interactive digital initiative aimed at supporting the efforts of the international coalition against extremism and terrorism, and correcting misplaced ideals and putting them in the right perspective. The enter conveys the voices of millions of people who stand against terrorist practices and ideas promoted by misguided organizations around the world, and harnesses social media to provide a broader space for moderate thought that is often lost amid the din of extremist ideas promoted by extremists.
10 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019
The "Sawab Center" confronts and refutes false claims and false religious interpretations, and communicates with Internet communities, which are often victims of the advocates of these thoughts. Sawab cooperates with the governments of 63 countries participating in the international alliance against extremism, working with the public, institutions, companies and youth to counter hatred, intolerance and spreading the true values of Islam, which embrace the values of moderation, tolerance and openness.
ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019 | 11
Instagraming
alainzoouae #ExploreAlAinZoo Have you ever heard of an invisible life? That's what life in our desert is called, As It's home to many animals & plants whose remarkable adapting methods have made them invisible! Get to know Cheesman's Gerbil’s story on your next exploratory journey at Abu Dhabi’s Living World Gallery
178 likes
12 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019
Conservation
Our efforts with the IUCN-Species Survival Commission The IUCN-Species Survival Commission is a voluntary organization primarily dependent on donors. In early 2009, Al Ain Zoo became the primary donor to the IUCN Office and a central supporter of the commission's goals of conservation in preserving nature and saving endangered species. The Species Survival Commission is part of the International Union for the Conversation of Nature, the world’s largest global organization with more than 200 government members, including the UAE, and 900 non-governmental organizations. As well as its membership and donations, the UAE contributes to conservation efforts at the global level, exchanging up-to-date information on conservation issues, sharing experiences with other members, and attending important global conservation meetings, workshops and conferences.
What is the International Union for the Conversation of Nature? It is a conservation programme which aims to help communities work to safeguard biodiversity and sustainable development, and promote equality and poverty reduction among communities around the world. The Species Survival Commission is one of six committees under the union with more than 9,000 volunteer scientists from around the world working together to save species from extinction. They provide the IUCN with the technical information needed to plan the mission, as well as initiatives to support conservation programmes for species. The commission is also working on the development and sustainability of the “Red List�, by assessing the vulnerability of endangered species to extinction as part of the IUCN activities.
ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019 | 13
Our Experts “We receive about 30 different types of food to distribute every day, and provide the best standards for balanced diets”
Nouf Nasser Al Shamisi: “Nutrition in the animal world develops behaviour and standards which are completely different from humans” She makes sure everything goes well. She monitors the quality of food, the standards of food suppliers, and also thinks of ways to enhance animal behaviour, helping them to lead a normal life as if they were in their natural habitats. There are many stages in the feeding of animals in the Zoo, from the selection of suppliers to the satisfaction of the animals with their meals. We all watch the animals while they eat their food, sometimes participating in feeding them and enjoying it, but we do not really know the effort and time it takes to provide the proper food for all the animals of different species and types! Our “Zoo Life” guest in this issue is our colleague Nouf Nasser Al Shamisi, who has been working as an Senior Officer Animal Nutrition in the Life Sciences Department since 2014. She enrolled at the Zoo one year after graduating from the College of Food and Agriculture at the UAE University. She did not know then that she would work in the field of animal nutrition, which is completely different from human nutrition, she says. "While most people share food, there are other measures that apply to the animal world," Nouf explained. "Each animal has a different diet: for example, hoofed animals eat fodder and dry foods, while other animals 14 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019
eat meat, fruits and vegetables and may also eat nuts and refreshments, perhaps cold or chilled. Do animals really eat ice cream? "Oh Yes. Diversity of food plays a significant role in enhancing the skills of animals, maintaining their activity and vitality, and developing their behavior. In addition to our commitment to managing food diversification and quality assurance, we respond directly to the demands of animal keepers in terms of nutritional requirements. For example, we may offer frozen drinks to gorillas, light blood ice cream to the lions, or coconuts stuffed with different nuts for monkeys to promote behavioural and dietary diversity. We also distribute select spices to the corners of their habitats to stimulate the sense of smell of animals. Each animal has a specific amount of food per day and a well thought out diet will vary according to the nature of the animal, its weight and age. The animal may lose its appetite because of the change of habitat, or if it is ill, and these factors can affect the pattern of food intake, but we have ample quantities of certified foodstuff and consider the needs of the animals daily." What are the quantities you usually receive? "We have a daily amount of apples ranging from 64.5 - 67 kg, and we receive 350 kg of camel meat. We also communicate continuously with animal keepers to understand the demands of the animals’ diet and its specifications, and accordingly we change or maintain
the programme. Because supervisors are the people dealing with animals most often, and know their needs, we always take their opinion and requests into consideration." How is the food served? "There is a regular chain that starts with the Procurement and Contracts Department selecting the suppliers then monitoring the ways and means of delivering the food to us and monitoring its quality. All this is carried out to the best and highest nutritional standards. We receive about 30 different food items every day from our suppliers, which we examine and distribute according to animal needs. Not only do we provide excellent quality of food, we also prepare it to suit the nature of the animal, and calculate the proper quantities." You said that the animals have a specific amount of food daily, what about the animals that are fed by visitors, like the giraffes? "The amount we provide to animal keepers is specifically measured to fit the daily requirements of the animals, and the visitor-feeding experience does not affect their diets because the keepers regulate the quantity
specified. Food for animals cannot be purchased or brought from outside the Zoo, thus ensuring compliance with the correct rations.." After being a professional in the mechanisms and standards of animal feeding, what do you think about the future for yourself? "The Nutrition section has made a significant shift in the field of work since I joined five years ago. I am pleased to be part of this development, and now, in the Life Sciences department, we are looking forward to being pioneers in animal nutrition, studying the relationships between them and their food, and the benefits of maintaining health, developing behaviour and aiding reproduction." In the midst of this interest and diligence in the workplace, what about your personal life? "I like to read books of all kinds; they are refined for creativity and investment of human energy. I also love to travel to green areas and connect with nature, so I consider my work in Al Ain Zoo a great opportunity to enjoy part of this meditation and appreciate the beauty of nature."
ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019 | 15
MEDIA
16 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019
18 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019
ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | August 2019 | 19
إعالمنا
وجوه
صون الطبيعة
انستغرام
في حديقتنا
تجربة
َ مشاهد
قصة قصيرة