ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)
Al Ain Zoo was built on the belief that protecting nature should be part of a country’s identity. That idea took form in 1968 under the direction of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose environmental outlook laid the foundations for what would become the UAE’s first institution dedicated to the care of wildlife.
This week at the IUCN Congress in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Zoo is using its presence to show how consistent backing from the UAE’s leadership and a national commitment to nature have turned a half-century-old legacy into a global force in conservation science and sustainability innovation.
“Our main goal in participating in the IUCN Congress is to highlight Al Ain Zoo’s long-standing commitment to wildlife conservation and to celebrate the enduring legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,” Hessa Al Qahtani, Unit Head of Conservation Programmes Development at Al Ain Zoo, told Aletihad on the sidelines of the Congress.
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Hessa Al Qahtani, Unit Head of Conservation Programmes Development at Al Ain Zoo
According to Al Qahtani, Sheikh Zayed’s early emphasis on coexistence between people and nature continues to guide the zoo’s work, though the institution has evolved to match the challenges of the 21st century.
“Today, we bridge his foundational principles with modern innovation by incorporating advanced research, genetic studies, and sustainable technologies into our operations. We are constantly adapting to meet contemporary environmental challenges while staying true to Sheikh Zayed’s ethos,” she explained.
At the Congress, the zoo is making the case that a modern zoological park must serve as a working engine for recovery rather than a viewing gallery.
“Modern zoos, including Al Ain Zoo, have evolved. They are now dynamic centres for research, education, and species conservation. We share a common mission with IUCN: protecting wildlife and maintaining biodiversity,” Al Qahtani said.
She pointed out that Al Ain Zoo’s work spans breeding programmes for endangered species, habitat restoration, scientific research and conservation education. These efforts, Al Qahtani added, support the UAE’s sustainability agenda and IUCN’s global conservation targets by building environmental awareness and encouraging responsible resource use.
Regionally, Al Ain Zoo has become synonymous with the rescue of the endangered Dama gazelle, once widespread across the Sahel but now restricted to small pockets. Al Qahtani revealed that the zoo now leads breeding and reintroduction with international partners, pairing husbandry with genetic research to avoid inbreeding risks and keep options open for releases.
Besides animal care, the zoo’s operations today focus on the technical demands of research, climate response, and resource planning. In a separate session, the team will share its sustainability practices with the audience, in hopes of inspiring other zoos to work in harmony with nature.
“We have embarked on a 10-year initiative to replace traditional systems such as air-conditioning units and chillers with more sustainable alternatives,” Al Qahtani said.
She explained that the project is expected to reduce the zoo’s energy and water consumption by more than 30%, cut carbon emissions by around 1,000 kilotonnes, and generate savings through reduced utility costs.
Over the next two years, that work is set to expand. Al Qahtani said the zoo is prioritising three species for targeted conservation: the Sand Cat, the Addax, and the African Elephant. She added that participating in the IUCN Congress will allow the institution to tap into a broader scientific network and bring international best practices into its own strategies.
“Following the event, we plan to integrate new learnings into our conservation programmes and share our experiences with the broader scientific and conservation community,” she explained.
“This ongoing dialogue will help us refine our strategies and amplify our visibility globally.”
