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Al Ain Zoo today announced that its UAE National workforce now makes up 33% of the organisation’s employees, with more than 160 Emiratis currently working at Al Ain Zoo across a range of departments. The impressive figures stem from a series of successful initiatives that encourage young Emiratis to explore the unconventional array of career choices at the zoo.
Commenting on Emiratisation at Al Ain Zoo, Ghanim Al Hajeri, Director General said:
“Al Ain Zoo’s Emirati employees play a vital role in the zoo’s overall strategy, delivering our message of conservation with unique insight into the UAE’s natural environment and history. The career opportunities are endless – whether in animal care, tourism or administrative roles – and UAE National employees act as ambassadors for our nation, allowing visitors to experience our culture from a different perspective.”
As part of the UAE’s ongoing commitment to Emiratisation, Al Ain Zoo has implemented various tactics to attract and develop a strong, qualified national workforce, including training schemes and internship programmes. Initiatives focus on honing individual skills so that each employee can share the zoo’s history, heritage and culture with visitors, in line Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 to lay the foundations for a socially cohesive and economically sustainable community that preserves the Emirate’s unique cultural heritage.
Mariam Al Shamsi, Director Human Resources and Strategy at Al Ain Zoo, added:
“We are delighted to continue seeing an influx of applications from UAE Nationals applying for vacancies at Al Ain Zoo. There is much enthusiasm among the Emirati community to contribute to the zoo’s success, particularly when employees witness firsthand the results of our efforts to conserve native wildlife. Furthermore, applicants are intrigued by the exciting career choices they can pursue, and the opportunity to represent our country with pride and humility. The UAE’s tourism market is rapidly evolving, further placing Al Ain on the map as a tourist destination, and thus it is an ideal time for Emiratis to be a part of Al Ain Zoo’s history and future.”
Eiman Rashed Al Muqbali, a retail associate, commented about her experience working at Al Ain Zoo:
“I have been at Al Ain Zoo for over a year now and feel that my job is fulfilling – it has become a part of my life. My favourite part of my role is being able to engage with people of different nationalities and backgrounds, and to encourage them experience the zoo’s various activities, such as giraffe feeding. I feel proud as a UAE citizen to contribute in spreading the conservation message and to promote tourism in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, and this is the pride that inspires and motivates me on a daily basis.”
Meanwhile Mahra Al Shamsi, an animal outreach supervisor who has been with the zoo for five years and lived in Al Ain throughout her life, added:
“I take pride in my role and learn something new every day through my interactions with the animals. I also truly enjoy the educational programmes and presentations we give to school students and visitors, and the opportunity to develop many of these programmes strengthens the sense of family I feel as part of Al Ain Zoo.”
Al Ain Zoo is a member of the World Association for Zoo and Aquaria (WAZA) and is actively involved in several internationally coordinated conservation projects, working with other like-minded organisations such as ADTCA, universities and schools, TDIC, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the Species Survival Commission, San Diego Zoo, the Northern Rangelands Trust of Kenya and the Sahara Conservation Fund to conserve and re-introduce threatened arid land species such as Arabian Oryx and Scimitar-horned Oryx to their natural habitat.
The zoo is open daily from 9am to 8pm. Beginning on May 1 until September 30, Al Ain Zoo will change to the Summer operating hours, from 4pm to 10pm. Ramadan opening hours will be from 6:00 PM to 12 midnight.
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