Al Ain Zoo to organise walk for wildlife

Al Ain: The Al Ain Zoo on Tuesday announced to organise a walk for wildlife along with a host of other activities to mark the 15th National Environment Day next week.

The events are aimed at raising awareness about the UAE wildlife and ways to preserve the desert life in the country. The activities, called the Living Desert, will be organised on February 4, Muna Al Daheri, Manager Education Centre at Al Ain Zoo.

The zoo, she said, is a great place to celebrate this day as it provides a unique platform for all ages to learn more about playing a role in preserving the wildlife of the UAE. "We encourage all visitors to participate in our activities and hope our zoo can be an inspiration for making a positive impact in our community and beyond," she added.

The Walk for Wildlife will be a key event of the 15th National Environment Day 2012. It will be a two-kilometre walk around the zoo and participants will show their support for the campaign. Interested people have been asked to get registered via e-mail to education@awpr.ae. Deadline for the registration is January 29.

The other activities include a train tour where Al Ain Zoo, planting native trees and shrubs throughout the park, an exhibition of children's drawings, and traditional handicrafts.

Al Daheri said the zoo information desk will be providing visitors with facts about the environmental threats to the UAE desert, endangered species at the zoo, tips for good environmental practices, and introduce the zoo's new recycling project.

Ahead of the National Environment Day, she said, the animal collection department of the zoo will join in a No Plastic Bags drive by providing its staff with re-usable jute bags, and participate in a Cleaning the Desert event.

Signs will be placed around the Al Ain city calling for the preservation of the environment. In order to create awareness about environmental challenges amongst its employees, the Environment, Health and Safety Department will also give presentations on good environmental practices to reduce carbon emission and present a movie about global warming.