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"On land and in the sea, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so because they recognised the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live, and to preserve it for succeeding generations."
The late Sheikh Zayed
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In 1968, the late Sheikh Zayed founded Al Ain Zoo. Being concerned about the wildlife and nature of his homeland all his life, he established this unique zoo in the Middle East with the vision of creating natural habitats for animals to live freely. He was a true visionary and a man who saw the undeniable value of conservation and preservation.
In his life-long aspiration to preserve the nature and wildlife of our nation, he banned animal hunting, especially of the Arabian oryx, which was about to become endangered. In 1972, the first conservation and breeding program for the Arabian oryx was successfully introduced at Al Ain Zoo. In 1982, the first effort to breed the endangered Houbara bustard was initiated by Al Ain Zoo under the direction of the late Sheikh Zayed. Many other rare species of oryx and gazelle, as well as the Arabian leopard, were protected under his leadership.
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