Al Ain Zoo expansion projects announced Our Zoo actively seeks to achieve its three main pillars of conservation, education and experience, by providing a habitat and an integrated environment for large wild animals such as elephants. This also includes our conservation and management programs in the Safari, as well as the provision of educational programs on the protection of endangered animals. As a result, Al Ain Zoo attracts a large number of visitors from around the world, supporting the tourism sector and putting Al Ain on the map of the country’s leading tourism spots.
Abu Dhabi-based Musanada has started construction on four expansion projects at Al Ain Zoo. The AED 152 million ($41 million) additions include new areas for reptiles, elephants, gorillas and sand cats.
ELEPHANT SAFARI
his is the only project of its kind in the Arabian Gulf that gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy watching these amazing African animals up close in the heart of the wildlife that resides at Al Ain Zoo. It includes a rare global diversity of species that mixes a large group of antelopes, lions, elephants and others.
GORILLA SANCTUARY
Al Ain Zoo is home to a band of gorillas that includes four males, we are the only Zoo to house this number of the critically endangered species.
The project extends over an area of 23.77 hectares and is located to the near of the current Al Ain Safari. It consists of the Elephants Safari, the African Village, an educational area, and open spaces for roaming, which are secured for the safety of visitors. In addition, an area where visitors can get a view of the safari animals from a walkway and watchtower. The Elephant Safari Café provides a restful place from where visitors can enjoy observing the elephants in an environment that simulates their natural environment, while also taking in the vast areas of the project that are decorated with local manmade sculptures, rock formations and wooden structures that resemble their natural African habitats.
The Sanctuary includes 3 indoor and outdoor exhibition areas, walkways and the “Jewel of Africa” area. This allows visitors to witness the gorillas living their daily lives naturally on an area of 8.725 square meters in an environment that simulates their natural African habitat. The Sanctuary’s land area is covered by 1,881 square meters of green space, where the four male gorillas live. They are classified as critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, due to their low numbers in the wild and the deterioration of their natural habitats.
The Elephants Safari also provides a range of associated experiences, such as feeding the elephants, in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere and the ability to feed other animals while listening to stories about the animals from their Keeper. Emirati tour guides will accompany all visitors in the Safari.
The Source
The Sanctuary offers visitors closed and air-conditioned areas from where they are able to see the gorillas in different seasons of the year through two main viewing areas. In addition, visitors can experience wandering through an
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