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Al Ain Zoo kicked off an interactive themed month this September to celebrate “Carnivores”, with a special focus on the African Lions, Wild Dogs, Spotted Hyenas, and the Servals.
Commenting on the “Carnivore Month” celebrations, Muna Al Dhaheri, Chief of Conservation and Education at Al Ain Zoo said:
“The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is one of our key conservation partners based on the fact that both organizations are sharing a common goal of conserving arid lands’ biodiversity beside the geographical area of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy which falls within Al Ain Zoo’s conservation focus.
“Al Ain Zoo is committed to educating the public through a wide range of fun and entertaining activities, and this month we focused on carnivores, as part of our ongoing commitment to provide our visitors with an unmatched experience and learning environment, where they can easily connect with wildlife and nature.”
“We will continue to exert all efforts needed to further inspire the young generation and encourage them to learn more about wildlife with our main aim being to nurture the next generation of scientists.”
Listed as Vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, African Lions, which are currently found in Sub-Saharan Africa, are the only cats that live in prides, which may include up to 40 cats most of which are related females along with their cubs.
Al Ain Zoo’s lions are fed a range of meals consisting of beef, chicken, or camel in addition to vitamins once a day during the afternoon. For fun times, Al Ain Zoo pampers them with toys such as big plastic barrels, frozen ice blocks consisting of meat, and bones that are introduced during the day to keep them entertained.
African Wild Dogs are also listed as Endangered under the (IUCN) Red List, with an estimated 3000-5000 free-ranging wild dogs remaining in Africa. They were formerly distributed throughout Sub-Saharan Africa but are currently suspected to reside in only six countries including Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa’s Kruger National Park, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Al Ain Zoo’s African Wild Dogs are fed once during the afternoon and their diet includes beef, chicken or camel along with vitamins. They are also given toys during the day such as rawhide chew bones to ensure they are kept entertained.
Spotted Hyenas are listed as of Least Concern under the (IUCN) Red List and are currently distributed in West Africa. They dwell in semi-deserts, savannahs, open woodland, and mountainous forests. Hyenas live in packs, with their dens usually found in the centre of their territory. As a group, they tend to hunt wildebeests, Thomson’s gazelles and zebras. They have also been found to catch fish, tortoises, black rhinos, hippo calves, young African elephants, and pythons.
Two years ago, Al Ain Zoo successfully bred two spotted hyenas, which resulted in the birth of a male and female.
Servals, also listed as the species of Least Concern on the (IUCN) Red List, range between the Northwest and Sub-Saharan Africa, mainly in areas close to water and in open forests.
Al Ain Zoo’s Serval’s are also fed beef, chicken and camel once a day. They are kept amused with a variety of toys such as ice blocks containing meat and hanging objects. Fish has been recently added into the pool found in their exhibit and they are occasionally seen at the water’s edge attempting to catch the fish.
As part of the “Carnivore Month” celebrations, the zoo hosted Mr. Geoffrey Chege, Chief Conservation Officer of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. Back in 2003, Al Ain Zoo signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy; the partnership aimed to build the capacity for conservation at Al Ain Zoo through supporting the in situ conservation work of arid land biodiversity in Kenya.
Commenting on the visit, Muna Al Dhaheri, Chief of Conservation and Education at Al Ain Zoo said:
“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Geoffrey Chege at the Zoo. The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is one of our key conservation partners and this visit comes in line with our commitment to conserving arid land species in addition to the geographical area of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy which falls within Al Ain Zoo’s conservation focus.”
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