Al Ain zoo to offer ‘zoo Safaris’ for children

Al Ain Zoo will be offering children exciting and stimulating experiences in its fun-packed Zoo Safaris this spring. Organised by the Education Centre, the Zoo Safaris give children the opportunity to explore and learn about wildlife and nature in the beautiful setting of Al Ain Zoo. The first Spring Safari will take place from March 25th to 29th, while the second will be held from April 1st to 5th. Children will engage with their team mates in a collection of rewarding and well-structured activities that include zoo keeping, arts and crafts, recycling, participating in the zoo’s newly developed programme - the Al Ain Zoo Amazing Race - as well as other teambuilding exercises. Children will also enjoy guided tours at the Elezba petting zoo where they can get up-close with their favorite furred and feathered animals, feeding the giraffes and creating objects and crafts aimed at enriching the animals’ environment. Muna Al Dhaheri, Manager Education Centre at Al Ain Zoo, said ‘Al Ain Zoo is not only committed to preserving and protecting wildlife in the UAE, but also to educating the community and especially children who are the future inheritors of our planet. The aim of organizing these week-long programmes is to enhance our youth’s understanding of animals. We hope that our safaris will also help children build their self-esteem through exciting team-building exercises and perhaps would encourage them to build a career in this field one day as a result of their experiences at the zoo. We are lucky to have seen great success in our Spring, Summer and Winter Camps during the past year – reaching more than 250 children throughout 2011– and we look forward to welcoming these children again as well as newcomers this Spring.’