FEBRUARY 2018
THE VET… THE WILDLIFE MASTER AL AIN SAFARI ... CAPTIVATE YOUR IMAGINATION IN 45 MINUTES
UPCOMING EVENTS IN FEBRUARY 2018 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 22 - 25 FEB Abu Dhabi Tour Yas Island
23 FEB City Run Corniche Road
25 - 27 FEB UMEX & SimTEX 2018 Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
Al Ain 2 FEB Al Ain Cycle Race Jabal Hafeet & Wadi Adventure
3 FEB Zoo Run Al Ain Zoo
1 - 3 FEB Health & Fitness Fun Festival Al Ain Zoo
One of our lion cubs looking curiously and innocently at the photographer. Taken by Visitor: Jefferson Turado
6 - 7 FEB Science Fair for Environmental Innovations Al Ain Zoo
until March 31 Zoolightful Festival Al Ain Zoo
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The Vet… The Wildlife Master Veterinary medicine might be commonly used term, but only a few realize the vital role veterinarians play. Through sensing the animal’s pain, veterinarians recognizes the important roles of the animals to serve and benefit humans. To learn more about veterinary medicine, “ZooLife” visited Dr. Arshad Haroon Toosy, the Manager Veterinary Services at Al Ain Zoo, who said: “Veterinary medicine stimulates animal healthcare and thrives to protect their living environment. For that, it is key that veterinarians have a deep knowledge and understanding of veterinary legislation and guidelines to be able to effectively execute it.”
Dr. Arshad Haroon Toosy as their core objective.The veterinarian’s role is to preserve the animals in their natural environment, which has become a major challenge, such as loss of natural habitats, spread of various diseases, commercial
hunting and the destruction of their environments, leading to extinction in the long term. As a result, the veterinarian’s role is dedicated to protecting, treating and safeguarding the animal’s life and long term survival.
“Veterinarians have long been involved in wildlife conservation and their role has become more valued in the wildlife community,” added Dr. Toosy. “In earlier times, veterinarians used to treat minor cases within their own area, while nowadays, they have expanded their service reach, to help animals outside their region to stretch overseas if necessary.” The Vets’ mission is to diagnose animal diseases ranging from simple to complicated and to prescribe appropriate treatments and medications. More importantly, they play a crucial role in maintainingthe animal’s healthy life through providing high quality nutrition standards as well as appropriate vaccinations to prevent diseases and illnesses. Dr. Toosy highlighted that zoos are now expanding their operational and strategic directions, having the animals and their well-being ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | February 2018 | 3
Zoo visitors get the chance to meet the newborn hippo The Hippo is widely recognized by people but few have had the chance to view them closely. It is a semi-aquatic animal that spends up to 16 hours a day in the water, cooling its body and remaining boyant. “Zoolife” talked to Animal Keeper Panchito about two recent birth of a hippo. “Female hippos have a gestation period of 8 months giving birth to a single baby underwater. The mother is very protective of the newborn and will chase other hippos away.” “We received a newborn female hippo at the end of December 2017. The hippo family at Al Ain Zoo now consists of 5 members’’, Panchito said. “A few days before the female hippo’s delivery, we noticed that the mother was isolated for long periods of time, which is unusual behavior. She spent most of her time underwater and did not want to get out. A day later, we were delighted
to hear the news about the birth of a newborn hippo.” Panchito added “We are currently providing the newborn with all the necessary care needed. It will take time to get along with its new family since it is a new member. We kept the baby hippo with its mother in a separate pool for a certain period of time until it regains its strength and be able to join her family in the exhibit.” “This endangered animal is the third largest wild mammal on earth and this is the reason why our Zoo, following our mission in preserving wildlife, embraces and preserves the hippo. Al Ain Zoo makes sure it breeds within specialized breeding programs. There are two species hippo: the Pygmy Hippopotamus, which is reclusive and lives independently, and the Common Hippopotamus (present at our Zoo) that lives with its herd.” he concluded.
Panchito during the training sessions for the hippos 4 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | February 2018
The average lifespan of a hippo is 40 years, however some live up to 50 years in Zoos and animal reserves
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45 minutes that captivates your imagination at Al Ain Safari 6 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | February 2018
Al Ain Safari, is a unique learning experience about African wildlife, taking visitors on an exciting 45 minute journey while captivating their imagination with the landscaped African environment and its rock formations, creating a beautiful and dramatic scene. The Safari is located in the heart of Al Ain Zoo, next to Jebel Hafeet and covers 217 hectares. It is the largest man-made African Safari in the world and home to 300 African animals. The Safari tour was led by our tour guide Naser Al Mansouri, who has been with the team since the opening of the Safari in 2016. Our journey took about 45 minutes in one of the branded SUV Safari vehicles. His story started as soon as we entered the Safari explaining how the animals, many endangered, roamed freely as if in the wild. We were impressed by the beauty of the wildlife environment.Naser arranged for us to see a wide range of animals during our journey, including lions, rhinos and giraffes. We also got to see smaller animals such as Spring bok and Impala together with the largest bird in the
world the majestic ostrich. During our tour, we also saw many water areas, rock formations and dramatic landscapes of hills and riverbeds. We asked our guide if there was any danger driving in these conditions. He said the Safari vehicles were well equipped to meet the conditions and the guides were well trained. While we watched the landscape, a group of giraffes moved towards us and took carrots and lettuce from our hands. This was a most exciting and memorable experience. Naser Al Mansouri said: “Visitors may choose from a range of options and offers in order to suit their interests. They have the option to experience the Safari in a 22seat truck. The truck is driven by a professional driver and a Safari Guide interacts with them along the way. Special 4x4 Safari cars are also available for a more exclusive experience. This option includes a Safari Guide who will give visitors a private tour and drive them around the Safari allowing them to get closer to the animals. This experience doubles the visitor’s excitement on the journey.”
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The word “Safari” comes from the Arabic word meaning “travel” and was introduced to the English language in the late nineteenth century!
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Naser added, “Al Ain Safari plays a crucial role in educating the public about the importance of preserving wild animals for future generations. It also plays a vital role in preserving the lives of these animals and other major species, which makes the Safari environment one of the most important wildife conservation projects. It provides an environment suitable for the animals by replicating their natural habitats.� During the trip we had the opportunity to have dinner in a unique setting, in a location that matched the services of a five-star hotel, just a few metres away from the lions. The experience included a dinner set over looking the lions under attractiving lighting.
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The Al Ain Safari Tour Guides make each Safari experience unique taking tours at different times of the day. Visitors will enjoy an upclose and personal experience of the vast Safari, complete with VIP privileges. Al Ain Safari has become an important tourist destination for many visitors around the world and is an essential part of our founding father the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision. Protecting the environment was one of his priorities and he considered it an essential part of his vision. Our mission is to continue honouring this vision of creating natural habitats for animals to live freely.
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After 50 years of achievements, we celebrate our Golden Jubilee which coincides with the Year of Zayed. We affirm our commitment to adopt a collaborative approach in working with our partners in the country and abroad to conintune efforts to protect wildlife and preserve endangered species. 12 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | February 2018
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A childhood love for volunteering... Marwa Saeed Al Kaabi
My experience in Sri Lanka and Nepal has been the most influential experiences in my life
It is said that positivity is contagious and sitting for even a few minutes with positive people can make you optimistic throughout the day. We felt this energy and happiness as we were interviewing Marwa Saeed Al Kaabi, our colleague from the Procurement and Contracts Department at Al Ain Zoo. Before she spoke about her volunteering story, Marwa began her conversation with a great representative of giving and charity: “Our Father Zayed, Zayed who instilled the spirit of giving in the hearts and souls of Emiratis and UAE leaders. He planted a seed of generosity in the heart of every Emirati. Our father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, peace be upon him, the pioneer of charitable work and the leader of giving. His approach became a human heritage that should be followed by the leaders and the people.“ Marwa goes on to tell her stories about volunteering. “Wherever I go, I find volunteer work searching for me. It has accompanied me since childhood when my mother first took me and her friends to work at a charity. I went to school and joined the “Girls Scouts Club” and the Red Crescent. Then I became a member of the Takatof team and the Faculty of Business Administration Club, volunteering as soon as I joined university.” Did your current job take you away from charity work? “On the contrary my obligations do not get in the way of my charity work. I have become more passionate about doing good, and am more aware of its intense impact on the souls of those in need. What some people see as ordinary is what others may wish for, and this makes us stand strong and stay true to ourselves.“ How do you keep this passion?
Marwa at the Orphanage during her trip to Nepal 14 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | February 2018
Marwa smiles as a tape of memories flash before her. “To place a brick in the walls of a mosque where thousands pray, or shelter a
family from the winter cold, or dig a well to quench a child’s thirst, or place a roof on a bare house, see an orphan whose tears of gratitude have poured from his face, witness an old man raising his hands to make a prayer, there are a lot of reasons that make me continue what I do as if I were doing it for the first time.” Have you volunteered abroad? “I went abroad with the Emirates Red Crescent to Sri Lanka and Nepal and it was an unforgettable experience. It was not just charitable work, whether it was our visits to hospitals, retirement homes or the orphanage, it gave us a real sense of both people’s pain and happiness. My contribution varied amongst different institutions, activities, projects, social and charitable programs, such as Takatof, the elections of the Federal National Council, Formula 1, World Cup for Youth and group weddings. Our Zoo’s presence is certainly an essential in volunteering activations
and initiatives. I am also keen on joining courses and workshops that will enhance my skills.“
cultural activities contributing to the group’s establishment, organization and vision.
Can volunteering be described as easy and fun?
You have given volunteering a lot of sincerity, what has it given back to you ?
“Everyone knows that despite the greatness and importance of volunteering, it is not entirely effortless and enjoyable. The path was difficult at first, but I can confidently say that our Emirati society has exceptional talent and awareness to accept and develop positive cultures and distinctive practices.“ How many volunteer hours have you accomplished in this charitable momentum? “Actually, I do not measure the number of hours, my devotion to the Takatof Programme is what motivates me to continue and what has led me to exceed 600 hours of volunteering. The hours vary between charitable, social and
“It is difficult to express what the volunteering experience has added to my life. As volunteering brings out a new you. I have become a leading figure who is calm, courageous, patient, humble, grateful, organized, skilled in dealing with all groups of society, roles and tasks. I know how to prioritize very well, become more mature and aware ... there is a lot more I could add.“ What is your ambition, Marwa? “To all those who need me without asking, I offer my generosity until I reach a time and place where volunteering becomes a lifestyle and a culture carried by everyone.”
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I am a heavy weight animal with poor eyesight, unlike my excellent sense of smell and hearing. Who am I?
They secrete an oily red substance that acts as a moisturiser, sunblock & protects them from germs.
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How many animal words can you find?
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January Edition Question
When was the opening of Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre? Send your answers to zoolife@alainzoo.ae and see if you got the right answers!
The Elegant Tree
How many animals does Al Ain Zoo approximately hold? 4000 In which year was Al Ain Zoo established? 1968 Congratulations to the winner Azmi Abdulla Al-Hamshary for winning one Annual Family Pass!
At first glance, it looks different from the Ghaf trees we usually see. It portrays an artistic message which carries a combination of both scientific facts and nature to form a masterpiece. It is the Ghaf Tree that is created and designed by the artist and designer, Talley Fisher, named “The Elegant Ghaf Tree”. “The Elegant Ghaf Tree” model is located between the Sheikh Zayed Tribute Hall and the Abu Dhabi’s Living World Gallery at the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre. The Ghaf tree is the national tree of the UAE and was one of the main interests of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in environment. As a result, Fisher dedicated “The Elegant Ghaf Tree” model as a tribute to the “Man of Environment” to become a wellcrafted and beautifully designed masterpiece.
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Overcome negativity
First, think of a time where you were successful and stress-free‌ How were all your personal issues going without any restriction?
Second, set your goals smoothly... Third, take a step towards your goals and believe in yourself and have
faith in everything and anyone. Fourth, plan your success step by step.
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