Opening hours extended to 10pm from Eid New timings help give insight into the behaviour of certain species
Fancy a wild night out? Then head along to Al Ain Zoo where the opening hours have been extended to let visitors view the animals after dark.
The new regular 8am to 10pm hours were introduced on Friday, the first day of Eid. The move followed the success of the Summer Night Zoo, which attracted more than 110,000 visitors.
Giraffes, zebras, lions, tigers and other wildlife can be observed under special lighting. "The celebration of Eid is a time when families come together from not only different emirates but also neighbouring countries," said the zoo's Managing Director Majed Al Mansouri.
"By extending the zoo timings during this time we have given families an opportunity to celebrate in truly unique surroundings.
"The nighttime zoo has been an overwhelming success during the summer with both children and parents. Our decision to extend the visiting hours will provide families with an opportunity to experience a unique day-andnight zoo ambience.
"The exhibits that have been added recently will provide a fun and educational experience for any age group." Zoo Director Mark Craig said: "In deciding to extend the timings we took into consideration the needs of the animals. Careful preparations were made to ensure their safety and health. The preparations included a gradual change in feeding timings so the animals remain active even in the late hours.
"The animals had to get accustomed to the new lighting that has been installed, which includes subtle moonlighting. Fortunately most are more active at night as they have adapted to desert life." The night zoo is one of a series of initiatives.
A renovation programme has seen changes to the landscaping and infrastructure, and several exhibits have been introduced.
New shows give visitors an insight into the behaviour of certain species. One of the most successful is the bird display - the only one of its kind in the world to be shown at night. It was launched earlier this year and features owls, falcons and vultures.
A recent addition to the growing number of species is the meerkat from South Africa. It is a member of the mongoose family and lives in highly social family groups of up to 30. Fifteen meerkats have recently arrived and are currently in quarantine.
Al Ain Zoo was established in 1968 by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It houses 68 species of mammals, 88 species of birds and 35 species of reptiles on an 850-hectare site. The most popular section is a 50-hectare animal habitat. Entrance costs Dh10 for adults and Dh5 for children over six those under this age enter free.
By Emirates Today Staff
© Emirates Today 2007
