Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), officially launched Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort during a gala dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel in Abu Dhabi, on Monday.
"Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort is an exciting new development that is the first of its kind worldwide. It is a project that will not only facilitate growth in Al Ain but also preserve the heritage and natural wildlife from future extinction," said Majid Al Mansouri, managing director of Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort.
Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort is a multi-faceted development spread over 900 hectares at the foothills of Jebel Hafeet. The central focus will be the core zoo and a recreation of various deserts of the world – such as those in UAE, Arabia, Africa, Asia, Australia and Americas. Each of these will exhibit the flora and fauna indigenous to those areas.
The core zoo will feature a children's version apart form the Shaikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre, which showcases the conservation efforts of the late Shaikh Zayed. The Centre will also serve to raise awareness of sustainable living in a desert environment. Aside from the educating about natural habitats, the wildlife park will provide animal safaris.
The living communities within the development include a luxury resort, a family hotel and retail outlets. Six residential clusters will be integrated within the safaris, as well as exclusive camps linked to the resort hotel. The guiding principles of sustainability will be central to the design and operation of the development.
A strategic partner, San Diego Zoo will be instrumental in the development advising on all aspects of the project, from the initial planning and design through to the park and resort operations, with special attention to the conservation of wildlife and education of the public.
"We aim to provide the community with an environment where they can appreciate wildlife and nature by understanding our responsibilities towards them and learn how to make a difference," added Al Mansouri.
The development of Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort will be rolled out in three phases. Phase 1 of the development will feature part of the new core zoo, the Arabian and African safaris, resort, retail outlets, a residential community, and luxury camps, and is due for completion by the end of 2010.
Phase 2 will include the Asian safari and residential clusters. The core zoo will be completed by the end of 2011. The entire development is scheduled to be completed by 2013.
