Saturday, Aug 08, 2009
Gulf News
Dubai: A rare baby giraffe was born at Dubai Zoo on Thursday.
The latest arrival at the Beach Road enclosure is due to the efforts of the zoo team, which is administrated by Dubai Municipality's Public Parks and Agricultural Department.
Saleh Al Najar, deputy director of the Dubai Zoo, said this type of giraffe rarely ever reproduces in captivity.
He said: "This giraffe inhibits savannas and grasslands in Africa and the southern desert. However, the efforts of the zoo team in providing a [more] natural habitat for mating of birds and other animals have been successful and crowned by a number of births, among which was the birth of this baby giraffe."
The first giraffe born at Dubai Zoo was Laila on April 9, 2000 while the second-born, Razia, died a few days after birth in the summer of 2002.
Al Najar said flamingos had also reproduced in captivity at the Dubai Zoo along with many other species of birds.
Dubai Zoo is the oldest facility of its kind not only in the UAE but also in the region. It was the first zoo in the Arab world to breed rare chimpanzees and Arabian wildcats.
During the first couple of years of its existence, Dubai Zoo only housed a few animals such as big cats, monkeys and hoofed-animals. There was also a small aquarium and reptile cage. Dubai Zoo was originally built in 1967 on a two hectare plot in Jumeirah. In 1971 the management of the Dubai Zoo was taken over by Dubai Municipality.
- With inputs from WAM
By Kevin Scott, Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
