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Al Ain Zoo recently welcomed the Al Ain Brownies to honour them for their contribution towards the zoo’s efforts to conserve the critically endangered Arabian Leopard. The group of girls used Al Ain Zoo’s Arabian Leopard, Hector, as a central figure in their community project to raise awareness and donations for endangered species.
Led by Troop Leader Debby McGuire, the Al Ain Brownies were greeted at the zoo yesterday by the Education Centre team. The enthusiastic group of 25 girls between eight and nine years old were welcomed with an educational programme about the Arabian Leopard, followed by an engaging animal enrichment activity. Each of the Al Ain Brownies was then presented with certificates of appreciation from Al Ain Zoo in recognition of their efforts before enjoying a tour of the zoo, which included giraffe feeding.
The Al Ain Brownies is part of Al Ain Scouts, established five years ago under the umbrella of the American Girl Scouts youth organisation. Aimed at instilling courage, confidence, character and honesty in young girls, the Al Ain Brownies embark on a ‘Brownie Quest Journey’ for one year, culminating in a community project of their choice. This youth group of animal-lovers chose to focus its attention on endangered animals – with Al Ain Zoo’s Hector serving as a community symbol in these efforts – using a poster awareness campaign, community fundraising, and informative presentations to classmates in school.
Muna Al Dhaheri, Acting Chief Conservation & Education Officer said:
“Al Ain Zoo applauds and appreciates the efforts of the Al Ain Brownies. We congratulate them on an admirable team effort that shows that even a small group of girls can play a role in a global effort to raise awareness about endangered species. We are proud of their success, and grateful for the opportunity to give these young leaders insight into a critical environmental initiative.”
The Arabian Leopard is a critically endangered species, with less than 100 animals thought to exist in the wild, geographically limited to Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman. The prevention of the extinction of the Arabian leopard will depend on the successful protection of the remaining wild populations as well as a viable captive population. Al Ain Zoo currently has one male Arabian leopard, Hector, and is making efforts to find a fresh female to breed with him.
Al Ain Zoo is a proud member of the World Association for Zoo and Aquaria (WAZA) and is actively involved in several internationally coordinated 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.
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