Establishing a private animal collection for Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan led to the inception of Al Ain Zoo in 1968. The zoo, however, opened to the public on 25 November 1968. Sheikh Zayed was the driving force behind the zoo, as he was interested in caring for the animals native to the area and having the people interact with them.
| Attribute | Details |
| Date Opened | 25 November 1968) |
| Area | 400 ha (990 acres) |
| Species | 68 mammals, 88 birds, 35 reptiles ) |
| Address | Zayed Al Awwal St, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Contact | 800 966 (UAE toll‑free) / +971 3 799 2000, info@alainzoo.ae |
| Official Website | alainzoo.ae |
Introduction
- Al Ain Zoo location: Foothills of Jebel Hafeet, Eastern Region, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Nearest City: Al Ain (15 km)
The wildlife park got a successful start after 50 years and expanded into a big wildlife park. It has now sprawled to cover 400 hectares, originally 220 hectares. It is the unique experience of an Abu Dhabi zoo. You can spend time with your family and, at the same time, get experience in animal care and conservation. Ain Zoo’s mission is to create smiles on children’s faces and expose more well-wishers to wildlife.
Key Milestones:
- Zoo opens with Arabian oryx, antelope, and gazelle in 1968.
- Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre was established in 2008 to teach more and more people.
- Visitors are drawn to the Sahara Safari jeep tour, which has been in a 217-hectare desert area since 2017.
- Over 2023-2025, a new Reptile Park (11,500 square meters) and the improvement of the Gorilla area will be carried out.
The zoo of Al Ain continues to develop and to provide visitors with scientific and
Areas and Main Attractions
African Savanna and Big Cats
Once in the visitors’ shoes, walking through the fields holding lions, leopards, cheetahs, and black panthers can be very difficult. The appearance of these fields resembles authentic African plains, including trees, open plains, and rocky landscapes. There are shaded areas where people can sit and watch, water holes, and big rocks. This way, the animals act naturally.
Penguin Beach and Parade
Penguin Beach is home to a colony of 10 to 20 Humboldt penguins. They eat, sleep, play, and swim in an outdoor saltwater pool with sand and underwater windows. People who visit Al Ain can see the Penguin Parade. The penguins are in a line, and the visitors are taught what they eat and how they protect them.
Reptile Park (coming in 2025)
One of the most amazing animals at Al Ain is certainly the reptile. The park will become extra vast and attract more than 100 animal species, ranging from snakes to big tortoises. Meanwhile, there are enclosed and outdoor spaces with plotted temperatures for reptiles to keep them safe and assays of touch screen and audio zookeepers to learn about reptiles.
Desert Learning Centre
The Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre is a great place to explore and learn about the creatures of dry lands, Bedouin life, and the skills of living in a desert. A safari tour is the best method of observing animals in the wild. Safari drives become the ultimate experience, where tourists can watch oryx, Arabian tahr, and sand gazelles in the savannas as they gallop through the air.
Gorilla Sanctuary and Koala Land
The cages are located inside the enclosure of four male gorillas, and the surrounding outdoor environment is also very large. The animals can climb up to the top of the block, be watered, and play with toys. Koala Land comprises at least six koalas, which consume eucalyptus leaves. This is one of the places where people can spot koalas in the Middle East.
Chimpanzee Forest
The zoo constructed Chimpanzee Forest, which offers high canopy highway-like trees, pools big enough for the animals to climb and swim through, and resting equipment for them to play on. Paved walking paths paved with gravel allow zoo goers to walk close to the tree branches, allowing people to be near the chimpanzees and watch them interact with each other.
Animals at Zoo Alain
| Animal Group | Number of Species | Flagship Species |
| Mammals | 68 | White lion, Nubian giraffe, Arabian sand cat |
| Birds | 88 | African penguin, flamingo, marabou stork |
| Reptiles | 35 | Nile crocodile, Arabian cobra |
This Zoo has a wide collection of animals. Every time we come here, we end up seeing new things.
Efforts to Save Animals
The zoo saves many species by doing the following:
Sand Cat Conservation Centre:
This sanctuary has the most Arabian sand cats. Scientists learn how these cats breathe and have young to help the species survive in the wild.
Dama Gazelle Breeding
The zoo holds more than 80 Dama Gazelles. They are doing so well at releasing these animals into the Sahara Desert.
Endangered Species Sanctuary
Around 25% of the species are at risk extinction due to human impacts.
Plant Nursery
The zoo cultivates 211 tons of local plants a year. This maintains a continuous food supply for the animals besides conserving native plants.
Since this is the kind of effort, many people firmly claim that Zoo Alain is the UAE’s top zoo for proactively dealing with this problem.
Zoo
Animal Feedings and Meet-ups
Giraffe Breakfast: Have your morning meal next to the long giraffes.
- Feed the Penguins: Feed the penguins their meal in their hangout space at the beach.
- Zoo Staff Talks: Learn how cats and reptiles are treated at the zoo daily. You will have one of the zookeepers beside you.
Special Shows
Sahara Birds Show: Observe the dry-land birds as they catch their prey. Walk early during this time of day to avoid the hot sun.
VIP Services
- Private Tours: Get your guides to the zoo with you.
- Special Meals: Satisfy them with ready food for most of the crowd.
- Event Packages: Create your own parties or team buildings in the zoo.
Take as many photos as possible at these enjoyable zoo places!
Learning at the Zoo
At the Zoo
- School trips to the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre
- Fun camps about local culture
- Science classes during holidays
Helping the Community
- Working with local groups to fix animal homes
- Teaching people about nature
Young people get involved in these activities, which are meant to help young people acquire caring skills for nature and animals.
Practical Planning & Tickets
Plan your day around this essential info:
| Ticket Type | Price (AED) | Notes |
| Zoo Entry – Adult | 65 | Valid for 3 days |
| Zoo Entry – Child (3–12) | 30 | Under 3 free |
| Safari SUV (up to 6 guests) | 1050 | Includes zoo entry |
| Ahlan VIP Tour | From 525 | Mon–Thu rate |
Remember to check Al Ain timings—9 AM–6 PM daily, and the ticket office closes at 5 PM. Contact the Al Ain ticket office for advance group bookings and season passes.
Jobs and Career at Al Ain
Work at the Zoo
Many jobs are available, including caring for the animals and training visitors. Temporary jobs for students willing to help the zoo’s administration are occasionally available, too. The zoo’s website is a source of information for people to use to find out if there are any job openings.
Zoo’s Green Efforts
Some of their strategic moves include recycling water and creating shade to protect the animals from the desert heat. Additionally, farmers feed the animals with the plants grown at the zoo. Initiatives are set to include some new areas, such as reptiles and elephants, in 2026, which were already being developed in 2025.
Conclusion
Al Ain Zoo teaches people how to study information about animals and the environment. Visitors can enjoy themselves and be educated here. The zoo is a place to visit where you can find many special animals and care for them after their rescue. It also tells about the desert. The zoo is continuously growing, and it endeavors to bring smiles to many individuals and help many animals in the coming days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I buy Al Ain tickets?
A: Purchase online at the official portal or the ticket office. Children under 3 enter free.
Q: What are the Al Ain zoo reviews like?
A: Visitors praise the immersive exhibits and conservation ethos—TripAdvisor ratings average 4.5/5.
Q: Can I see all the Al Ain animals in one day?
A: With early arrival and a plan, you can visit major zones; pick up a map and show schedule on entry.
Q: Is photography allowed?
A: Yes, personal photography is welcome. Drone use and flash are restricted for animal welfare.
