Zoolife June edition - Insights from Al Ain Zoo

JUNE 2018

“How could the clouds reach the bottom of the sea?”

HUSSAIN AL AMEERI

Houbara...

A Journey of Promise OUR NEWBORN “SUDAN”

UPCOMING EVENTS IN JUNE 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 UNTIL 04 JUN 13th Ramdhan Festival Abu Dhabi National Theatre

UNTIL 09 JUN Permanent Temporariness NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery

UNTIL 09 JUN Zayed: Story of a Nation Manarat Al Saadiyat

UNTIL 13 JUN The Month of Blessings Bawabat al Sharq Mall

UNTIL 17 JUN Year of Zayed Exhibition

Photographic

The Galleria

Al Ain It seems likely that our camera-wielding visitor will head to a nearby resort after this tempting shot to experience a more human moment of relaxation.

Taken by: Marlon Cardenas

UNTIL 14 JUN Lines and Stitches Al Qattara Arts Centre

15 JUN - 17 JUN Eid Celebrations Al Ain Zoo

08 JUL - 19 JUL

Registration starts on June 18

Summer Camp Al Ain Zoo

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OUR TEAM Following Zayed’s Steps...

We return the favour For those who are seeking heroes and role models to whom they can look up and follow on their footsteps, let us present you a hero who poetry strived to describe and left poets standing speechless in front of him. A hero who made the eyes of cultural guides sparkle with pride when they mention his name.

Once they start talking about him, they spend hours telling his heroic stories non-stop.

He is the leader who planted the seed of love and appreciation in the hearts of people around the world. He was the one who made the impossible possible through his faith, dedication and hard work in order to provide a decent life for his people. He is the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the United Arab Emirates.

A year ago, Fatima Al Dhaheri and Fahed Al Shuwaihi, two cultural guides at the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre, devised a special tour named “Following Zayed’s Steps” which was launched during the ‘Year of Zayed’, to appreciate the leader, returning the favour.

The tour name was inspired by a piece written by His Excellency Ali Bin Salem Al Kaabi, currently the UAE Ambassador to Morocco, who used to accompany the late Sheikh Zayed.

In this poem, His Excellency described a clear approach by Sheikh Zayed to the leaders and his Fatima Al Dhaheri - Cultural Guide

people, which we proudly maintain through our work at Al Ain Zoo as the founding father sought to have the past always remembered as the solid foundation of today’s present and tomorrow’s future.

“An approach he created and built..

The new generations followed while accomplishing With God’s Grace and Mercy..

Spread love among each other, leader and follower” “Following Zayed’s Steps” takes you on a tour through the life of the Father of the Nation and his achievements, using a narrative style which is based on the oral narrative history technique. Its details were taken from earlier interviews with the late Sheikh Zayed, and other stories narrated by people who lived through majour achievements with him.

The tour highlights Sheikh Zayed’s achievements not only in the field of the environment, but also in education, healthcare, and preservation of the UAE’s heritage.

As well as future plans that started with a vision drawn by the late Sheikh Zayed with the stick he always carried around in his hand: drawing a world for every soul, person, bird, animal and tree. This is how kind and merciful Zayed was.

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My Story

Houbara... A journey of a promise “What is going on? Where are our neighbours? Why are you taking us away?” As I screamed at the top of my lungs but it was useless, the huge car had all my family as we passed through roads I had never seen before. My grandfather was calm as he always has been, despite all the strange events that were taking place and the completely ambiguous fate that was facing us. Only then I realized that my screams were leading nowhere and I had to plan a tactical escape from these humans.

As I approached my grandfather, he smiled and asked me to sit next to him, “Don’t worry, good things are awaiting us my son.” How can I calm down and to this day in 1977 when we have already lost so many!

Will we lose our homeland forever?

We reached a green area and to be honest, it looked beautiful.

The following morning, my grandfather told me that a man named Zayed had noticed that our population had started declining in the wild. So he ordered the creation of a safe Houbara breeding area in this place called Al Ain Zoo. I can’t help but wonder will this decision be adequate to protect and grow our population?

The years proved to me the honesty of this man and the Al Ain Zoo workers’ loyalty and passion.

I cannot forget the enormous joy that took over the whole city when the first young chick hatched out of its egg. Thank you for the hope that you embedded in our hearts, as we grew to 50,000 Houbara birds to date.

Thank you very much, Zayed.

Visitors enjoy various birds at the Bird House

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The story of houbara breeding began in 1977 at Al Ain Zoo with just seven Asian houbara, the first phase of the houbara breeding in captivity project, and these continuous efforts paid off with the hatching of the first houbara chick in 1982. After years of determination by the late Sheikh Zayed, visitors can now see the confident and safe houbara in its natural habitat in Al Ain Zoo Bird House, which include 300 birds of 25 different species.

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the observer

First Biodiversity Forum

A Team from Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company

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09 May 2018

May 2018

experiences Experience access to one of the caves in Jebel Hafeet Visitors to Al Ain cannot help but gaze at the wondrous Jebel Hafeet, the mountain which has been standing in its place for millions of years. You will be mesmerized as you stand before the mountain which adds to the beauty of the city of Al Ain, being one of the highest mountains in the United Arab Emirates with a height of 1,160 meters.

So, what would it be like if we got a chance to enter one of the mountain’s mysterious caves and learn its secrets? After research and exploration, we discovered the presence of a model of one of the caves of the mountain in the sustainable landmark, the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre, located in Al Ain Zoo. We went to the centre with a lot of questions on our minds. I wonder what the cave will look like from

the inside and what it contains‌ are there any living organisms in the area? We decide to investigate and have a look at what the rocks will tell us about the past of Al Ain. Through entering the Centre, we were met by a cultural guide that welcomed us with a broad smile, who then took us to the cave location and started to tell us all about it.

When we entered, we were surprised by the sight of stalactites, which are conical sedimentary deposits formed by the eons of water erosion through the top of the cave, along with fossils scattered around the heart of the

site. All these things contribute to the knowledge and awareness visitors to the cave can acquire.

The cave model also revealed to us the secrets of living things that still exist. There are bats, scorpions, snakes, hedgehogs, lizards and foxes.

Jebel Hafeet is also home to the rare Arabian eagle and the globally threatened Arabian Tahr which we thought to be extinct, and surprised us to be living there to this day.

The experience was beautiful and the information we learned was very interesting that we wanted to hear more stories about it.

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Animal life

“Sudan” The Newborn Southern White Rhinoceros

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Al Ain Zoo has welcomed its new baby Southern White Rhinoceros, named “Sudan” after the last male Northern White Rhino, which died in March in “Ol Pejeta” Conservancy in Kenya, leaving only two of its protected females alive.

White rhinos are considered one of the largest and most popular mammals in Africa, and one of the world’s largest wild land animals being the second largest on Earth.

Habitat Most southern white rhinos are found in South Africa. There are also small groups still existing in Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe. As for the northern white rhino, it has been extinct in the wild since 2008 with its last remaining members living under the direct protection of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.

Al Ain Zoo first raised the Southern White Rhino in 2008, starting with five members that have reproduced within natural breeding programmes and which currently total 10 males and females.

Features The rhino has two horns and a noticeable bulge on the back of his neck that helps to support its head.

It has four short feet with three toes on each that help to distribute its weight. They have a flat snout that enables them to graze easily.

Colors range from murky brown to grey, which is far from white. Their ears can move independently, helping them pick up the most sensitive sounds. They rely heavily on their sense of smell, having a particularly weak sense of sight.

Food The white rhinoceros is an herbivore and they have large, square-shaped lips to help in grazing.

Characteristics The rhinoceros usually lives in groups of 14 or more individuals.

Females take the predominant parental role, while adult males defend the territory they inhabit.

Male rhinos may prevent their females from leaving the land to take care of small calves. They also may compete with each other and get into serious fights that may end up with severe wounds.

The white rhinoceros grows to 11 to 13 feet (3.4 to 4.2 meters) from hoof to shoulder.

Endangered species The white rhinoceros is one of the most popular animals to be hunted due to the demand for its horns, which are sold at very high prices.

The horns are made of keratin, which is a key element of hair and nails.

A CT scan shows that there are dense calcium and melanin sediments in the heart of the horn making it stronger and protecting it from ultraviolet rays. It is listed as a long-term endangered species.

Al Ain Zoo Efforts Al Ain Zoo has had a distinctive collection of southern white rhinos since 2008, and is contributing effectively to the protection of this species as well as enriching and enhancing the visitor experience at both the African Habitat and Al Ain Safari. Our continuous and diligent efforts in the health care, nutrition, animal management, and provision of essential facilities for this species has stimulated the natural reproduction process, which has contributed to the doubling of its numbers inside the Zoo over the past decade.

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In 1983, animal hunting while using firearms was banned. The United Arab Emirates is considered the only country that managed to protect the Arabian Oryx by gathering the remaining of the species from different countries and placed them in the UAE’s private reserve to protect them from extinction.

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Instagraming

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Call 800966 to book your adventure.

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Places

Sheikh Zayed Tribute Hall Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre Series Our third trip with the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre takes us on a great journey to show the geniality of our late Sheikh Zayed: his ambition, his insightful vision of the future, which is why he was called The Wise Man of the Arabs.

These are the insightful images that greet you when you first enter the centre, a wonderful reception and a great tribute. There are four screens with modern and beautiful designs and multimedia, explaining the life and eventful history of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in visual and audio features.

In the first panel, called “Firmly Rooted in the Desert”, gives details of his childhood, upbringing, his life in the desert, and his relationship with the members of the ruling family.

biodiversity, which is considered a legacy connected to the Emirati’s past, present and future. Thanks to Zayed and his efforts, he created special regions to protect the Arabian Oryx, Houbara Bustard, and flamingos, and to preserve the plant diversity of the Ghaf and Palm trees.

When you reach the fourth panel, “Preserving the Environment Is a Heritage That Extends to The Future”, you see the insightful vision of the late Sheikh Zayed in preserving the environment and saving its treasures for a distant future for many generations to come. For that, he received many well-deserved awards.

When visitors reach the last stop, they see a large panel centered at the end of the hall, which embodies a famous quote by the late Sheikh Zayed, looking ahead to the future, and embracing sustainability, which he recognized before any of us.

“On land and in the sea, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so only because they recognized the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live, and to preserve it for succeeding generations.”

The second panel, “Huge Steps Forward”, shows the struggle and efforts exerted by the late Sheikh Zayed, to establish the union, and showed the growth of his ideas and endeavors that he planned with the rest of the emirate’s rulers to build the United Arab Emirates.

The third panel talks about “The Relationship Between Man and Land” in a historical, environmental and humanitarian masterpiece written by Sheikh Zayed, calling for preserving the wealth of the desert, its resources, and its ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | June 2018 | 13

Our Experts “My greatest fear in the deep sea was running out of oxygen”… “The charming schools of fish is one of the best scenes I have ever seen”

Hussain Al Ameeri

shares his ‘Under the Sea’ adventures with ZooLife

“I looked up and I wondered, how could the clouds reach the bottom of the sea? But when I looked closer, I found a terrifying shark roaming directly over my head. And despite that it was swimming calmly in peace, I was terrified. I seldom see a shark every day, so I lived the details of the moment in total silence without any complaint.” This is what Hussain Mohamed Al Ameeri, Manager Commercial Operations at Al Ain Zoo, said when ZooLife asked him about his most terrifying, yet enjoyable moments under the sea, which he has loved since his childhood. He spent his first years on the coast and then became more passionate about the sea world which is full of wonders and hidden secrets. This is when he decided to dive deep into the sea.

What did you find in the sea world?

“My passion for the sea world grew gradually, starting with my experiences on the coast, then cruise fishing and trap fishing, and then I became very curious to discover more about God’s magnificent creations. It’s a very rich environment that we know little about no matter how hard we try.” Al Ameeri goes on to say, “My main goal was fishing and it’s still my favorite hobby, but when you find yourself in the depth of the sea, you will watch everything with cautious surprise and fearful joy. It is necessary for those who decide to dive in the secrets of the sea to evoke all their senses and focus on making the whole experience a successful one without endangering their lives or those of their companions.”

When you say ‘endangering your life’, do you mean predatory fish like sharks?

“On the contrary, in the wide range of fish species, they are considered the least dangerous, they do not threaten the life of the diver unless someone provokes or harms them.

The real risks lie in other aspects,

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such as the diving technique itself, for example: wearing the scuba diving gear correctly and learning how to use it, and not to dive alone: ascending and descending rapidly could endanger the diver’s life and also having patience, concentration, and exercising caution, setting the goal of the dive... in fact there many other risks.”

Did you ever face any major risks or difficulties?

“Of course! I was diving one time, and while I was enjoying the beauty of the scenery, my oxygen cylinder suddenly emptied. I had to swim up to the surface very quickly, and this is where the danger lies, ascending and descending rapidly hurts the lungs and causes painful swelling of the body. I was very lucky I was diving at a shallow depth and was able to hold my breath until I reached the surface.”

Is it safe to practice scuba diving as a hobby?

“No, it is not safe to practice diving as a hobby without training. You have to get a diving license from specialized training entities. Despite how amazing diving is, it is never risk-free.

Training begins with theoretical and practical training in private pools.

Then diving comes in gradual stages focusing on the importance of how to use equipment, presence of mind, patience and attention to get the certificate and license, in order to maintain the safety within the proper legal controls”

more dangerous. Despite the diverse species of fish that varies from one emirate to another, most of them are friendly and non-hostile and will not endanger the life of the diver.”

What is your favorite fish species you like to catch?

“The experience of catching your own fish is indescribable; you enjoy it starting from the moment you see the fish moving under water.

I generally prefer specific species such as: Grouper, Zaridi, Kingfish, Emperor, and Malabar Fish.

Finally, why don’t you tell us the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?

“It is like a beautiful painting I have lived and have always loved; when you see schools of fish on the sea horizon heading towards you and find yourself immersed in perfectly organized fish that out-perform any human order. It is the most beautiful moment when you watch different species with different colors and

shapes in overwhelming joy.”

• He started his career with the UAE Armed Forces in 1997, passing through ENOC - Emirates National Oil Company, Etisalat Telecommunication Company, before finally settling at Al Ain Zoo. • He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and then a Master’s in Tourism and International Hospitality, he was the first UAE citizen to get a Master’s Degree in this specialty.

• He has embraced the sea since his childhood on the coast of Dubai and Umm Al-Quwain with his parents, friends and neighbors.

• He took up scuba diving as a profession when he was 27, an endeavour he still enjoys until now.

How is life under the sea?

“It mainly depends on the type of sea: for example, the sea at Khor Fakkan is characterized by its pure water, coral reefs, and a larger biological diversity because it lies in a mountainous region, while the sea of Dubai and some other emirates’ water is mixed with dirt and mud because of their sandy surfaces, so the vision is not very clear and it’s ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | June 2018 | 15

The Rhino weigh up to 2,700 kg, making it one of the largest species of wild mammals after the elephant.

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I am a great hunter and have a yellow fur with black dots. I have a stronger sense of hearing than a human by five times!

Learn to Draw!

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May Edition Question

What international certification did the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre acquire for its design and construction?

What endangered species was the reason behind the establishment of Al Ain Zoo? Arabian Oryx

Send your answers to zoolife@alainzoo.ae and see if you got the right answers!

A Centre that reflects the Emirati Environmental Identity The Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre is considered an icon of sustainability, a truly unique model located in the centre of Al Ain Zoo. Not only for its achievements in sustainability standards, but also because of its design, which amazes everyone who sees it and has them raising questions about it. We see that the building has unique facades that are architecturally different from each other: the secret behind this unique edifice is that the architect was inspired by the environment surrounding “The UAE World Deserts”.

With its sharp edges, the Centre reflects Jebel Hafeet, the mountain which stands tall as one of the most beautiful natural forms in Al Ain. But it is not limited to that: the colours of the outer faces of the centre embody a story of pride inspired by the Arabian Oryx, which was the real reason behind establishing our Zoo. The colours range from white in the top layers 18 | ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | June 2018

to grey in the lower layers of the building the same colour as the hair of the Arabian Oryx. In order to reduce heat absorption, the marble cladding reflects the heat, while the internal walls are painted with a beautiful graded palette that resembles a pearlescent color, pearls being the main pillar of the economy of Abu Dhabi in the past. The subtle decorative details also include the exterior

floors that reflect the soil of Al Ain being a brown color with reddish undertones that is rich in iron oxide, while the white colors mirror the color of Abu Dhabi’s soil close to the sea. When we see the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre, we do not see just a building, but a center that reflects the Abu Dhabi Vision 2021 with buildings standing tall to reflect Emirati identity.

There are no gardens to the east There are no gardens to the west Look in the direction you came from You will find them all inside you ZooLife, Al Ain Zoo | June 2018 | 19