Al Ain Zoo: Watch Cheetah run 'live'; new animals in African Safari

By year-end, residents and tourists to the UAE will be able to experience African Safari and even watch the Cheetah - the world's fastest land animal - run ‘live’ in Al Ain Zoo.

“The African Safari will be the largest man-made safari in the world, covering an area of over 50 hectares and for the first time there will be no sectors with specific animals, but animals will be able to roam freely,” Andreas Bruckner, Acting Chief Operating Officer, Al Ain Zoo, told Emirates 24|7.

“We have around 500 animals consisting rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hoofstocks and animals related to the African wildlife. We have imported a few animals from Africa and they are going through the quarantine timing, but the release of the animals into their new exhibits is very close.”

Prices for one-hour safari experience will start from Dh250 with the timing could go up to 90 to 120 minutes depending on special feeding experiences.

The facility for Cheetah Run is under construction, which will allow visitors to watch the animal’s “live” run.

“The cheetah will have a 120-metre-long race track with a lure system (an artificial rabbit). We will have a mini amphitheatre for approximately 250 people from where one can watch the run and see the animal’s acceleration.”

Animal trainers have been working with the cheetahs as they need to be trained at least 12 to 18 months before such a run, Bruckner said, adding, “We are among the few offering such an experience and we hope this will a big new attraction for our visitors.”

Although the official opening of the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre will be done by year-end, the zoo is allowing school classes and special interest groups to visit the centre.

It states  the centre is designed to celebrate local history and to immerse visitors in an educational and cultural experience that celebrate desert wildlife and  traditions with a number of displays and high-tech exhibits that bring the history of Abu Dhabi and the Gulf region to life.

“We have already got 100 per cent UAE nationals to operate this facility, which is dedicated to the vision of Sheikh Zayed,” he revealed.

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