The capital of the mighty United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, is one of the gateway cities of the world. The city may not be very old but it is experiencing growth and development in leaps and bounds. Towering skyscrapers reach for new heights, while mega shopping malls grow more ornate and elaborate by the day. Visitors to this striking city have an abundance of choice. Accommodation options range from villa to city hotel and from luxury camping to resort; in Abu Dhabi the sky is the limit. The fast pace of the city can be overwhelming but there is an oasis not far off, in the form of Sir Bani Yas Island. The island is also home to Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Resorts set in the tranquil backdrop of the Arabian Wildlife Park.
The Al Ain Zoo, a popular attraction, was opened in 1968 by Sheikh Zayed, who was known as the Father of the nation. It spans a nine hundred hectare area and is located at the base of the Jebel Hafeet Mountain. The zoo is home to over four thousand animals and it has been designed with large enclosures that replicate the natural habitat of each species. There are also wide, open spaces and playgrounds for families to picnic and enjoy some quality time. Among the attractions and activities there is a train ride that tours the enclosures, giraffe feeding, camel riding, ‘Elezba’ petting zoo and a cafeteria for food and drink.
A large part of Sheikh Zayed’s vision for the zoo was conservation. Thirty percent of the species found in the zoo are endangered. Breeding programmes to save dying species have been in place since its founding; the most successful being efforts to preserve the endangered Arabian Oryx. Links to the San Diego Zoo, the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in Miami and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums play a role in maintaining standards and improving the conservation programme.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
