Al Ain Wildlife Park
United Arab Emirates
An ambitious project to transform a traditional zoo into a wildlife park that replicate the world’s great deserts. It is the largest wildlife park in the Middle East and the only one of its kind in the world.
Design Framework Characteristics
Project Type
Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort is a tribute to the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who united the Arab Emirates and was a visionary conservationist who saw great value in providing a place for his people to retain the roots of the Arabian peninsula’s flora and fauna.
UAE World Desert includes a major Falconry Center that highlights both the legacy of this important cultural heritage of the UAE and the conservation effort to preserve the native habitat and population of the traditional training prey, the Houbara Bustard. The Center consists of an indoor holding facility, public view galleries, and outdoor bustard and falcon exhibits with demonstration areas. Other features include an animal show amphitheater and holding complex, and many other flora and fauna exhibits, anchored by the iconic Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Center designed by Chalabi Architekten.
The project, located in Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, envisions a business model that will be self-sustaining and will draw visitors from around the Persian Gulf region and beyond.
Project Characteristics
- 2013 MEED UAE ’Social Project Of The Year’ Award
- Iconic architecture with highly immersive desert flora and fauna exhibits surrounding
- A true conservation attraction blending live animal outdoor exhibits and cultural and natural history indoor museum exhibits
- International “destination” zoo
- Evening event center