Al Ain Zoo Celebrates Asian Month This October

Al Ain Zoo kicked off an Asian themed month filled with a wide array of interactive and exciting activities this October to celebrate “Asian Species”, with a special focus on Bengal Tigers, Axis Deer, Nilgai and Blackbucks.

Guests will enjoy a range of entertaining activities including Bird and Parrot Shows, as well as performances that reflect Asian culture and traditions. An exciting workshop is also planned for our young visitors, where they will have the opportunity to craft and design their own umbrellas, fans, and lanterns.

Commenting on the “Asian Month” celebrations and activities, Muna Al Dhaheri, Chief of Conservation and Education at Al Ain Zoo said:

“Education has always been a core element at Al Ain Zoo. We strongly believe that these special focused themed months and the wide range of interactive and educational activities, fulfil our commitment towards inspiring the young generation and encouraging them to learn more about wildlife.”

Al Ain Zoo’s collection of desert antelopes and gazelles are among the largest in the world and most diverse, the zoo is involved in areas such as in captive management, conservation research, captive breeding, propagation, and the reintroduction of endangered species in to the wild whenever it is possible.

Listed as Endangered, under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and can be found at Al Ain Zoo, Bengal Tigers, populate a range of different areas including tropical moist evergreen forests, tropical dry forests, tropical and subtropical moist deciduous forests, mangroves, subtropical and temperate upland forests, and alluvial grasslands.

Today, the global population in the wild is estimated to a number between 3,062 and 3,948 individuals, down from around 100,000 at the start of the 20th century, with the remaining populations occurring in small pockets isolated from each other in the different areas.

Axis Deer, also known as “Chital” meaning spotted in Hindustani, are listed as “Least Concern” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The highest numbers are found in the forests of India and they are primarily grazers and feed on short, sprouting grasses. They also browse, as well as eat forbs, fruit, and branches of trees, especially when they are thrown down by monkeys.

Nilgai, an Indian word meaning Blue Bull, are the largest Asian Antelope and are most commonly seen in central and northern India. Nilgai can survive for days without water, but they live close to waterholes and feed on grass, leaves, buds, and fruit.

Blackbucks are classified as “near threatened” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Their populations have greatly decreased because of excessive hunting and loss of habitat due to agricultural development. Blackbucks generally live on open plains and woodlands in herds of 5 to 50 animals with one dominant male. They are very fast; and are primarily grazers and avoid forested areas. They require water every day and their diet consists mostly of grass.

Al Ain Zoo is a member of the World Association for Zoo and Aquaria (WAZA) and is actively involved in several internationally coordinated conservation projects, working with other like-minded organisations such as Durrell Wildlife, Jersey, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, the Species Survival Commission, San Diego Zoo, the Northern Rangelands Trust of Kenya and the Sahara Conservation Fund.

Emirate:  Abu Dhabi

Date: Oct 14, 2014

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