DECEMBER 2018
MAYED AL BLOOSHI “Beauty doesn’t always appear on the outside”
Big Cat Oasis
THE GORILLA FAMILY
UPCOMING EVENTS IN JANUARY 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.
Abu Dhabi
Please send the photographs to zoolife@alainzoo.ae
02 JAN Bayreuth Festival– The Valkyrie Emirates Palace
20 JAN
Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Nahyan Heritage Festival
Al
Sweihan City
24 JAN
Joyce DiDonato-In War & Peace: Harmony Through Music Emirates Palace
24 - 28 JAN
Abu Dhabi Publishing Forum Emirates Palace
Al Ain 31 Jan - 09 FEB
Abu Dhabi Science Festival Can anyone resist this beautiful architecture? This dynamic building was built with a design that blends the past, present, and the future together. No wonder our charmed visitor went to capture a picture that tells us a little bit about many stories. Stories about the Emiratis’ relationship with nature, and Zayed’s relationship with the United Arab Emirates. Taken by Visitor: Barry Lake
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Al Ain Zoo
UNTIL 01 JUL
Emirati Traditional Exhibition Al Qattara Arts Centre
Games
OUR TEAM Marketing & Corporate Communication Team Al Ain Zoo is a major destination amongst families and tourists in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is a global leader in carrying out educational and exploratory research in nature and wildlife conservation. Since marketing is one of the most important factors in any organization, let’s shed some light on our Marketing and Corporate Communication department; its mission, vision, sections, and teams, in addition to discovering how this department has an effective impact on the success of Al Ain Zoo. The Marketing and Corporate Communication department’s main role is to work on raising awareness on the unique nature of Al Ain Zoo, at both local and global levels. It offers various services and promotes the Zoo through advertising, public relations, and media coverage of all kinds, such as print, broadcast, and digital platforms. It also has a significant role to play in educating employees in achieving harmony among all departments within the organization. The department is responsible for delivering the message of the organization’s vision, mission and values, as well as implementing brand positioning in all internal and external communications. Furthermore, it works closely with a range of internal and external stakeholders, such as the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism, government entities, and local and international print and digital media.
The Team during the Photography Competition Ceremony
Now let’s take a closer look at the most crucial part of the department: the employees. The department is divided into two sections, the Marketing section, with 13 employees, and the Corporate Communication section, which consists of five employees. Each team has its own specialized function. The Design team is responsible for designing all collateral, including brochures, ZooLife magazine, as well as designing advertisments for campaigns and events organized by Al Ain Zoo. The Social Media team promotes the Zoo and launches marketing campaigns through different social media platforms, in addition to covering events and posting information through our various channels. The Multimedia team records all the Zoo events and produces many videos, archiving all the promotional photographs of the organization. The Events team
work on organizing all the events and activities held at the Zoo. They also work closely with external parties to organize their events and meet their needs. The team we also would like to introduce is the Website and Mobile App team, who are responsible for updating all the data on the website and providing users with all the data they need to know about the Zoo. Last but not least, the Technician team carry out all the required work during the events, such as preparing the location and providing all necessary equipment. The communication team promotes the Zoo through media coverage such as newspapers, magazines, televesion programs and radio channels. The team have also developed and launched the ZooLife magazine, whereas they write articles related to animals and latest Zoo stories. Omar Yousef Al Blooshi - Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication
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My Story
The Gorilla Family I have my health certificates and my travel passport ready; I’m very enthusiastic about flying off to the largest and most wonderful Zoo in the Middle East. I’m so excited and I can’t hide it! Before I introduce myself, allow me to ask you first, was “Lady” the gorilla a nice part of your childhood? I never met her before, but pictures and records brought us together in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), a population management programme for animals of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). It has been a long journey to get here. The animal transfer process is more complicated than I expected. However, I am very happy to tell you that I finally got approval to transfer my family to Al Ain Zoo after meeting all the conditions for our new home. I don’t mean that I don’t like Apenheul Primate Park, in
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Netherlands, but after many local gorilla lovers in the UAE requested commemoration for “Lady” the gorilla who lived at Al Ain Zoo until 2016, we decided to travel to the United Arab Emirates, where we can experience a new desert climate. Not so long ago, our carers visited Al Ain Zoo to make sure that it provides all facilities, health care and the right team to take care of us similar to Apenheul Primate Park. They chose an area called “The Big Oasis” and I am super excited to move to my new home! My family and I are western lowland young gorillas. We eat a lot of food, definitely way more than what “Lady” used to eat. It will be the first time for us to meet the Scimitar Oryx which is extinct in the wild and “Sudan”, the White Rhinoceros that was named after the last male northern white rhino on earth, who died earlier this year. Not only that, but we will also get to see the largest man-made safari in the world! There’s so much to see around here and I’m really looking forward to seeing everything and making new friends.
In 1978, Al Ain Zoo acquired its first pair of gorillas, Lady and Maxi. Maxi sadly died in the 1990s, but Lady continued to welcome visitors and enjoyed being cared for at the Zoo. At the age of 40, in 2016, Lady died amid a public outpouring of grief. Since then, the Zoo has been encouraged to pursue its efforts to embrace and save endangered species, which has brought it international respect, due to the advanced level of care, protection, and dedication to creating natural environments for the animals in its care. ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | December 2018 | 5
the observer
Zoography Award Ceremony
Winter Camp
14 Dec
16 - 27 Dec
Dama Gazelle Conservation Planning Workshop II
emony Kafoo Award Cer 6 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | December 2018
13 Dec
experiences
Giraffe Feeding Experience We collect beautiful memories after having a great experience. That’s what actually happened after watching those amazing creatures with long necks and big bodies. Imagine if it came closer to you and you get to feed them with your own hands, how great is that? Let’s go back to the day when we lived this memorable experience. On a bright sunny day, we decided to stop by the giraffes at Al Ain Zoo to live a real-life experience with all its beauty. We went to the Zoo just before the sunset, and the beautiful giraffes
with their long necks appeared on the horizon. We were so excited to see them at a distance and kept wondering what it would be like if they got closer to us. We headed straight to the ticket office and were warmly welcomed by the staff. They gave us our tickets and the giraffe’s food; carrots and lettuce. We went to the giraffe location and the staff started calling them by ringing bells. A graceful and loving giraffe family of three started approaching us slowly. For a moment there, we felt a bit scared when they were getting closer. Then they bent their
elongated seven vertebrae-neck to pick up the food. We saw its 30 cm long tongue which it uses to clean its neck and head. The giraffe is an elegant and peaceful wild animal. However, it takes months of positive reinforcement training for them to become able to approach visitors. Sadly, our trip was over, but our memories will always remain. We had loads of fun and captured memories that will stay with us forever, as well as the experience of getting to know more about this beautiful creature.
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Animal life
Western Gorillas
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Western Gorillas are the largest species of primates with the longest lifespan. Until recently, it was considered a single species, but DNA evidence has led to the recognition of the eastern and western populations as distinct species. The western gorilla inhabits primary and secondary forests. It is a critically endangered species according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The great decline in their numbers is mainly due to the deterioration of forest habitats. Habitat The western lowland gorilla lives in areas of Cameroon in Africa. Western gorillas are smaller and lighter than the Eastern gorillas. Features Gorillas have a characteristic body shape with a broad chest, heavy neck and hands, and strong feet. They have a dark brown coat with a brownish-red crest. Male gorillas have larger skulls than females and other monkeys, with larger canine teeth and a more pronounced ridge above the eyes. Western gorillas are smaller and lighter bodied than their Eastern relative, because they need to be agile climbers in order to reach fruits in the trees.
Food Fruit forms a large part of the Western gorilla’s diet and they can travel up to 41kms every day in search of fruit-bearing trees. Western male gorillas weigh up to 140 kilograms, while females weigh up to 70 kilograms. Behavior and Family Life Western gorillas live in groups that vary in size between 2 and 20 individuals, composed of at least one male, several females and their offspring. A dominant male heads the group, with younger males usually leaving the group when they reach maturity. Females sometimes transfer to another group before breeding; they care for their young infant for the first four to five years of its life, which means that there is usually a long interval between births, which partly explains the slow population growth rates that make the Western gorilla so vulnerable to poaching. The adult males ‘Silverback’.
are
called
Lifespan Western gorillas live up to 40 years in the wild.
The average height of the Western gorilla is 180 cm, while the female average is 150 cm.
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He was always very committed to develop human capital through education. He was fully aware that humans had the most prominent role in accelerating economic growth and social development. That’s why he said, “A country’s greatest investment lies in building generations of educated and knowledgeable youth”. That was his vision from the very beginning. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan 10 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | December 2018
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Instagraming
alainzoouae Visit us & meet our NEW Gorilla family who joined our family this week! Jambo, the father = means Hello in Swahili! He is coming from @apenheul zoo - Netherland. Please welcome Jambo
553 likes
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Places
Big Cats Oasis From the moment you walk into the Big Cats Oasis, you can see the beautiful wooden pillars similar to those of tropical forest huts. The centre of the exhibit is surrounded by magnificent pillars. Those who love to look at the plant and animal diversity will enjoy their time here and will be able to take plenty of souvenir photos to keep those valuable moments alive forever. The Big Cats’ Oasis area is designed in a heptagon shape consisting of seven exhibit areas of low walls topped with a glass safety barrier, from where visitors are able to watch the animals safely and clearly. At the bottom of the wall, there are mesh nets that allow the visitors to hear the sounds of the animals and allow them to see the animals very closely.
Jaguar
As soon as you begin your trip inside the building, on the left, there is an exhibit designed specifically for the four gorillas, who joined Al Ain Zoo recently, Jambo, Mapasa, Wimbé and M’zungu. The area has a vast green space with a water pond and natural stones, which simulates the natural habitat of gorillas. There are also climbing columns among other enrichment activities that make them feel at home. When you take a few steps closer, you can see a group of lions, including the white African lion, lying on the grass enjoying the sun, while others will be standing proud, showing off their powers and strength. By the time you reach the third
exhibit, you will walk through a large green area to enjoy the scenery of nature, water, sand, and stones. At this exhibit, you see one of the best wildlife where the crocodiles live. At first, you will stand wandering whether they were sleeping or awake. However, you can be sure that they are very much awake and at feeding time can catch their prey in a fraction of a second. Do not miss the chance to see the Puma, with its graceful body and its black and orange fur. In the seventh exhibit of the Big Cats Oasis, you will find the Hyenas watching you, so do not miss your chance to give them some attention because they are really worth it. This is indeed a world full of surprises.
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Our Experts Feeding animals has always been his dream – and Al Ain Zoo made this dream come true
Mayed Al Blooshi “Beauty doesn’t always appear on the outside, it is the beauty that lays within.” Mayed Al Blooshi
A big smile appeared on his face when we called him ‘Majed’, he replied, “My name is Mayed, not Majed.” So, we asked him, “What is the difference between the two?” “Well, Mayed is an active and highly dynamic person, while Majed is a person who is known for his generosity and dignity.” He replied. We thanked him for the linguistic interpretation he gave us about the two names. After a long and amusing conversation with him, his name description fitted him well. He left Al Ain University for Science and Technology after deciding to take on fieldwork and learn more about wildlife. Mayed has many other interesting traits, he is very patient, full of fun, and has a very strong will. He has a very special skill in dealing with wild animals, especially the primates. Mayed Al Blooshi, is the Supervisor Animal Care Primates at Al Ain Zoo, and he loves dealing specifically with gorillas. His passion for animals started at a very young age. He joined Al Ain Zoo in 2012 to follow his strong desire to live with wildlife. He then told us about the dream, which came true for him. “It’s been my dream to feed animals since I was a little child. That’s why, when I got much older, I started to keep a wide collection of exotic animals at my house, snakes, scorpions, foxes, and birds. I didn’t hesitate for a second once I learnt about the open vacancies here at Al Ain Zoo. And here I am, feeding gorillas and taking good care of them, a dream come true.” We asked Mayed about the animals he keeps at his house. “After
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becoming
knowledgeable
about animals, I realized that keeping dangerous animals at home is a huge mistake that some people make. Wild animals need special care and treatment that no one can offer at home, and that is why I sent mine to the concerned authorities. Now, my job at the Zoo fulfilled my dreams while maintaining the best safety standards.” We said that he must be very happy after bringing the four gorillas to our Zoo. He replied, “At first, let me introduce you to this adorable lowland gorilla family. This is ‘Jambo’, a 25 year old gorilla father, and these are his kids, Mapasa and Wimbé, who are 11, and M’zungu who is 7 years old. They are not used to their new home yet, but it is just a matter of time after all. We visited them in the Apenheul Primate Park in Netherlands to break the ice and help them get to know us better. I was in a lot of grief after the death of the much-loved ‘Lady’ gorilla in 2016. She spent 40 years at the Zoo and I was lucky enough to be with her for four years.
How did you get that strong will? “It’s not all about will-power; other aspects pushed me to do it as well. I could not breathe easily, and I had trouble moving around, it was difficult for me to perform my daily prayers and even basic daily activities, such as tying my shoes, I made great effort to reach my feet and wear them. However, what really bothered me was my lack of self-confidence and the fact that I felt I was becoming introverted; I really did not like the look of pity that came into people’s eyes when they saw me, while some others actually mocked me. One of the main reasons I dropped out of my college in Australia is the 11-hours sleep that I used to get due to my obesity, not to mention the diseases that obesity can cause in the future. If I had stayed that way, I would not
have had any success in my life, especially my field work at the Zoo. It was a matter of life or death, and I had to decide.” That is a powerful and emotional story. We asked Mayed if he had anything else he would like to say. “I have one final word. The world of animals is a magnificent world, it pushes us to think a lot, and it can be shocking at some points. They are not just animals, but communities just like us. I could not wish for anything else but to stay at our Zoo. I hope whoever reads my words discovers the beauty of animals and loves them the way I do.” Thank you, Mayed.
How did you feel after you learnt the bad news? “I was on a holiday and I suddenly felt like seeing her, but when I went to the Zoo, I was told that she had gone already. It was a real shock and I burst into tears. Anyhow, I hope the new ‘Jambo’ family becomes a milestone in my career and at the Zoo.” Aside from your challenges with gorillas, did you really lose 92kgs in only 6 months? “I spent a whole year without looking at myself in the mirror; I could not stand to see my obese reflection. Then one day, out of nowhere, I decided to love myself and take good care of my body. So, I played sports and followed a well-balanced diet to become what you see now.” ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | December 2018 | 15
Which animal has an eye bigger than its own brain?
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Draw & Colour
Some gorillas in captivity have learned to use sign language to communicate with humans.
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November Edition Question
Which bird is the second largest after the African Ostrich?
Which type of gazelle is the only of its kind that is capable of delivering twins regularily? Arabian Gazelle
Send your answers to zoolife@alainzoo.ae and see if you got the right answers!
The design of the Cheetah Run Come with us to discover this very important part of the Zoo. It is a vast area, 85 meters long, that can accommodate up to 300 visitors. This area is dedicated to cheetahs, where they can show off their hunting skills and manoeuvres to impress visitors and those who are passionate about wildlife. The rear area of the cheetah exhibit 18 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | December 2018
and its terrain were built carefully to emulate their natural habitat in the wild. You can find the cheetah permanent exhibit on the pathway between the main entrance area, the African village area, and Al Ain Safari. The seating area is beautifully designed in a form of unique varying levels, crossed with
connected side corridors to allow the audience to see the entire area, half of which is covered with a big sunshade. You will notice how the barriers are placed effectively around the track, in order to maintain safety and security standards without blocking the view of our visitors.
Successful people are the ones who have a reason they
live for, a goal they seek to achieve, and a mission they tend to accomplish.
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