Five New Bird Species Seen At The Al Ain Zoo After Annual Studies

Bird illustration at Al Ain Zoo. (Twitter/@AlAinZooUAE)

JAKARTA - Five new bird species have been classified after the annual study of the Al Ain Zoo, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), monitoring migrating and settling birds.

More than 100 birds were identified in the survey, which looked at biodiversity and examined the suitability of zoos for wildlife.

The migration and local birds that left Europe, Asia and Africa in winter, regularly chose to stay temporarily in the zoo thanks to the warmer UAE climate, according to researchers.

The zoo said it also offers a safe habitat amid the threat of extinction facing migrating birds around the world, combining suitable vegetation and artificial lakes to attract them.

"Several different species have been observed, some local, others are legitimizing the area, but none are genuine," said Hessa Ahmed Al Qahtani, head of the conservation program development unit at the Al Ain Zoo. December 30

"Five new species have come to the zoo for the first time such as a larger whitethroat, Ibis an Eurasian spoon, dunlin, a Bonelli eagle and a Eurasian nightjar," he said.

The conservation team at the Al Ain Zoo has been running a long-term wild bird study program since 2017.

The results were used by the International Bird's Census, the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency, and the eBird database, to help contribute to bird conservation efforts in the UAE and around the world.

Founded in 1968 by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Father of the State Founders, a 400-hectare zoo at the foot of Bukit Jebel Hafeet is home to more than 4,000 animals such as oryx, giraffes, barbary sheep, rhinos, hippos, hippos, tigers and lions.

There are a variety of things to enjoy at Al Ain Zoo, including zoos for children. The Al Ain safari is where visitors can find the "big five" typical African animals, lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and bulls from safe SUVs or safari trucks. Emirati safari guides lead, providing more information about animals and the surrounding landscape.

In addition, the Al Ain Zoo also has animal conservation and breeding programs.