Al Ain, 18 October 2011(WAM)-- Al Ain Zoo has recently added a male Mhorr gazelle to its world renowned antelope and gazelle collection .

The orphaned newborn male Mhorr gazelle has been hand-reared by Al Ain Zoos professional zookeepers and team of veterinary experts after its mother passed away only hours after giving birth.

Al Ain Zoo has been taking all necessary steps to not only ensure the gazelle grows to be healthy and strong, but can also be easily re-integrated into the herd at a later stage.

"We are thrilled that the orphaned young male has been in great health since birth. In the unfortunate cases where the mothers of newborns are unable to care for their young either due to abandonment or problems in childbirth Al Ain Zoos team of animal experts and keepers have the skills and training to rear these babies to health and then re-introduce them back into the herd," said Majid Al Qassimi, Assistant Associate Veterinarian at Al Ain Zoo, commentedDr. Arshad Toosy, Manager Veterinary Operations at Al Ain Zoo.

The Mhorr gazelle, the western sub-species of the Dama gazelle, once lived in the Sahara desert areas in Morocco. Their numbers have rapidly declined due to hunting, over grazing by domestic livestock and civil unrest, and today the Mhorr gazelle exists only in captivity, where breeding and re-introduction programs are its only hope for survival.

The baby Mhorr gazelle represents another example of Al Ain zoo successfully raising a newborn animal. Al Ain Zoo is also one of the few zoos in the world to successfully rear a giraffe calf that had been abandoned by its mother. Almost a year old, this baby giraffe is now in great health and on display for visitors. Because of its status in the wild, the protection of the threatened sub-species is critical, particularly as Al Ain Zoos herd of Nubian giraffes is among the very few in captivity worldwide.

Al Ain Zoo is a proud member of the World Association for Zoo and Aquaria (WAZA) and is actively involved in several internationally co-ordinated conservation projects and works with other like-minded organisations such as Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, The Species Survival Commission, San Diego Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo, World Conservation Union and Species Survival Commission, the Northern Rangelands Trust of Kenya and the Sahara Conservation Fund to conserve and re-introduce threatened arid land species such as Arabian oryx, Scimitar-horned oryx, giraffes and gazelle.

Founded in 1968 by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Father of the Nation, Al Ain Zoo is a family destination, providing entertainment and learning experiences in a natural outdoor environment. Today, visitors of all ages discover the zoos wildlife and enjoy a great day-out packed with fun and adventure, while learning about conservation and exploring a collection of over 4,300 animals.

Al Ain Zoo is home to an internationally important conservation programme focussing on the wildlife of the worlds arid regions, the zoo is involved in conservation research, captive breeding and propagation and the reintroduction of threatened species to their wild habitats. Its collection of desert antelopes is recognized as among the best in the world. Al Ain Zoo is a proud member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (WAZA). Strategic partnerships have been set up with leading zoos, conservation agencies and associations from across the world, including the World Conservation Union and Species Survival Commission, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, San Diego Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo, the Northern Rangelands Trust of Kenya and the Sahara Conservation Fund.

As part of the UAEs commitment to wildlife conservation both within the UAE and internationally, Al Ain Zoo is transforming the area around the existing zoo into a new institution dedicated to exhibiting, interpreting and conserving desert wildlife. This sustainable leisure and learning destination, called Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, will provide an extraordinary opportunity for visitors to explore and learn about the desert world and experience a world-class tourist destination. Embedded within the UAE World Desert, the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre will feature educational exhibits that celebrate the wildlife and traditions of the desert, celebrate the conservation heritage of the late Sheikh Zayed and help chart a sustainable future for desert living.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2011.